Where did the fair trade certification come from?

Fairtrade Foundation established Following persistent appeals for fairness in trade from Mexican small-scale coffee farmers, the Fairtrade Foundation is established by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, the World Development Movement and the National Federation of Women's Institutes.

What is the history of fair trade certification?

Fair Trade Certification began appearing with coffee in 1988, and expanded to include more products and countries. Fair Trade USA was founded in 1998 and for 13 years, we were a member of Fairtrade International—the international Fairtrade system made up of Fairtrade International and 19 national member organizations.

Who was the founder of Fairtrade?

History. One of the earliest founders of the Fairtrade moment was Edna Byler. In 1946, Byler, who was an American businesswoman, visited a women's sewing group run by the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Puerto Rico. She began selling the group's crafts to friends and neighbours in the United States.

Who gives Fairtrade certification?

Fairtrade standards

In order to become certified Fairtrade producers, the cooperatives and their farmers have to comply with private standards set by Fairtrade International. FLOCERT inspects and certifies producer organizations in more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Why did they start Fairtrade?

In 1989, the World Fair Trade Organization (formerly IFAT) was founded as a global network of committed fair trade organizations, aiming to improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged people through trade and to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.

What Does Fair Trade Certification Mean? - African Roots And Routes

Where did fairtrade originate?

Fairtrade started in response to the struggles of Mexican coffee farmers after the collapse of world coffee prices in the 1980s. This price crash was a major factor in the launch of the first Fairtrade certification label, set up by a Dutch development agency.

Is fairtrade only in the UK?

The Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade International, which unites over 20 labelling initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand as well as networks of producer organisations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Does Fair Trade Certified mean anything?

More simply, having the Fairtrade Mark on your products means that the farmers and workers that grew your product are getting a fair deal on their goods, the farms are prioritizing workers' rights and following set environmental standards.

What were the first three Fair Trade Certified products?

The first three FAIRTRADE Mark certified products anywhere in the world were Green & Blacks Maya Gold chocolate, Clipper tea and Cafédirect coffee all of which went on sale in the UK for the first time in 1994. (Source: Fairtrade Foundation).

How much does it cost to become Fair Trade Certified?

The fees for traders are £500 for 2014 and then £750 for each year afterwards. If you think you may need to become a Fairtrade trader and are selling any of your Fairtrade products internationally please contact our international organisation, FLO-Cert.

Who is the CEO of Fairtrade UK?

Commenting on the Government's new trade strategy, Fairtrade Foundation CEO Eleanor Harrison said: “With this trade strategy, the UK government has acknowledged the power of fair trade.

What is the world's first fairtrade town?

The world's first Fairtrade Town, Garstang in Lancashire, was declared in 1999, and the number of Fairtrade Towns and Cities has grown steadily since.

Who controls fair trade?

Fairtrade International, the umbrella non-profit organisation that creates the internationally agreed Fairtrade Standards and coordinates Fairtrade worldwide.

How can you tell if a product is Fair Trade Certified?

The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in lower income countries. The Mark is used only on products certified in accordance with Fairtrade Standards and on promotional materials to encourage people to buy Fairtrade products.

What countries are certified for Fairtrade?

National Fairtrade Organisations exist in 16 European countries as well as in Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Fairtrade International also oversees Fairtrade Marketing Organisations in the Czech Republic, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Philippines, and Poland.

How does a company become Fair Trade Certified?

For certification, the independent auditor FLOCERT will check your supply chain to ensure compliance with social, economic and ecological requirements set in the Fairtrade Standards. To learn more about getting certified, visit FLOCERT's website.

Why is Cadbury no longer Fairtrade?

Cadbury alters Fairtrade partnership in an effort to boost sustainable cocoa sourcing. British confectionary giant Cadbury is extending its Cocoa Life sustainability initiative across all of its chocolate products in UK and Ireland by 2019, and will utilise the expertise of Fairtrade as a key partner in the programme.

Is M&S Fairtrade?

M&S are one of the UK's leading Fairtrade retail supporters, having worked in partnership for almost two decades. Fairtrade producers in M&S's supply chains receive a fairer price for their crop and an additional Fairtrade Premium to spend on projects of their choice.

How did Fairtrade begin?

There is no consensus regarding a starting date of the fair trade movement. However, an instrumental development was a visit in 1946 by the pioneering American businesswoman Edna Ruth Byler to a women's sewing group run by the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Puerto Rico.

What are some criticisms of fair trade?

Critics of the Fairtrade brand have argued that the system diverts profits from the poorest farmers, that the profit is received by corporate firms, and that this causes "death and destitution". Evidence suggests that little of the extra money paid by consumers actually reaches the farmers.

What is the difference between free trade and fair trade?

Key differences between Free Trade and Fair Trade

Market Access: Free trade operates within the traditional market economy, with little concern for the welfare of producers and workers. Fair trade operates outside of the traditional market and seeks to ensure fair wages and better working conditions for producers.

What are the key principles of fair trade?

Is Ikea Fair Trade Certified?

Examples of standards that the IKEA business uses today are certification schemes like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Better Cotton, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

What is better than Fairtrade?

While fair trade promotes 'protection' of farmers, direct trade offers 'aspiration'. The fixed price a farmer receives from Fairtrade will not be affected by the quality produced, so farmers are not incentivised to take on the extra labour and input costs needed to grow a better crop.

What percentage of bananas sold in the UK are Fairtrade?

Where to buy Fairtrade bananas. One in three bananas bought in the UK is Fairtrade and it makes a huge difference to thousands of farmers, workers and their families. Find out where you can buy Fairtrade bananas.