Wednesday 18 July 2012

Fair Trade Organic Cotton

We are a small, family run business. We've been selling fabric for 30 years but it was only in the last 5 years that we became aware of the damage we do people in third world countries that grow cotton and have to rely on pesticide. 1000 die each year. They live miserable lives.

Imagine working with no defensive gear, having to spray incessantly with lethal poison that causes horrible illness, depression and death. We cannot expect people to die in order for us to have a new cotton T-shirt.

Most of these farmers have 4 or 5 acres. By allowing them to farm in nature, they and their families can live a more wealthy and healthy life that allows crop regular change and non-reliance on insect killer and fertilizer sellers. 

Organic means that the cotton is full-grown without the use of pesticides, using pheromone traps, crop rotation, and hand pick of bugs and natural repellents.

This allows farmers to grow food and keep animals instead of being reliant on costly chemicals and fertilizers. They take delivery of more for their crop and the put in costs are lower.

Certification

All our cotton is certified by SKAL. Nederland’s based Union Control -the major cotton certifier. 

Most of our cotton yarn comes from Agrocel and is Fair Trade

Some is also OEKOTEX or GOTS or Soil Association certified.

Please ask if you would like to see present certificates - we really don't mind and believe that we should all be aware of the option that people may jump on the 'organic' bandwagon without being true to its ideals.

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