So what is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is a partnership between producers and consumers which ensures producers receive good working conditions and fair prices.

It works like this:-

• Producers are paid fair prices which reflect the true cost of production – world market prices often do not even cover the cost of raw materials.
• Consumers pay a “premium” which helps producers with their social development projects such as health and education facilities, fresh water, and sanitation.
• Fair Trade promotes the empowerment of women.
• It advises on product development to increase access to markets.
• It encourages environmental responsibility and sustainability.
• It provides stability and security by committing to long-term relationships.

This is why we encourage people to buy fairly traded products and to campaign to highlight and stand against the unequal system of trade operating in the world today.

A FINAL THOUGHT – If a product isn’t labelled as Fairtrade then it hasn’t been fairly traded…does that sound fair to you?

This article was submitted by Liz Wood.