Why Buy Fairtrade? 

• Fairtrade Cotton

Cotton is vital to the global textile industry and to the social and economic improvement of developing countries. There’s no difference in quality between Fairtrade cotton and normal cotton. The real difference is that the small scale cotton farmers a t the very bottom of the supply chain have been paid a fair price for their crop and the additional Fairtrade premium is spent improving the local community. 

It also encourages farmers to go organic, as Fairtrade standards encompass specific environmental requirements which often act as a bridge to organic certification. Farmers can then increase their profits due to the growing demand for organic products in the global market. (See ‘Why buy Organic?’)

Annie Greenabelle sells a selection of products which are made with Fairtrade certified cotton. Please look out for the FAIRTRADE cotton mark on our product pages:

• What is FAIRTRADE?

The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products which meet international Fairtrade standards. This independent consumer label is now recognised by 72% of UK consumers and appears on products as a guarantee that marginalised producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than 7.5 million people – farmers, workers and their families – across 58 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

3.7 in 10 households purchase Fairtrade goods, helping Fairtrade sales reach an estimated £800m in 2009, up from £712m in 2008. There are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK with 872 certified producer groups in the global Fairtrade system, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers.

“Our mission: to connect disadvantaged producers and consumers, promote fairer trading conditions and empower producers to combat poverty, strengthen their position in world markets and take more control over their lives.”

Fairtrade.org.uk

• Fairtrade as a Social Contract

Buying Fairtrade products means you are helping improve the lives of disadvantaged farmers in the developing world. Application of the core Fairtrade standards depends on a commitment to a long-term trading partnership with producers based on dialogue, transparency and respect.

Fairtrade tackles poverty by opening up markets to small and marginalized producers. Fairtrade only certifies small, localised farmer organisations for cotton products. This prevents workers moving to already overcrowded urban centres.

Fairtrade guarantees a stable minimum price to farmers and producers for their products but also an added premium on top of the purchase price which is used to invest in community development projects in the fields of education, health and environment.

• Sending a Message

Buying Fairtrade sends a message to governments that consumers want justice in business in an increasingly global market. It also sends a message to businesses that the interest in Fairtrade is growing and that consumers demand fair practice in the fashion industry from grass-roots level.

Fairtrade relationships assist producer organisations to understand more about market conditions and trends and to develop knowledge, skills and resources to exert more control and influence over their lives. As the purpose of Fairtrade is not based on cutting costs to maximise profit, strong business relationships are formed allowing companies in the developing world to gain a foothold in the global market.

For more information on Fairtrade please visit: www.fairtrade.org.uk