FIB approved New Programs for Cotton, Cocoa and Sugar

The FIB approved new programs for cocoa and sugar at its meeting in Amsterdam last week. A similar program for cotton was approved earlier this year (2013). 

The new model, called Fairtrade Sourcing Programs will enable cocoa, sugar and cotton farmers to sell more of their crops as Fairtrade, bringing greater impact to their farms and community. It forms a key part of our global strategy, unlocking the Power of the Many, which seeks to radically increase Fairtrade impact for producers, and reaffirms our pledge to small-scale farmers in cocoa, sugar and cotton. 

Producers need to more on Fairtrade terms 

Now, many cocoa and sugar producers only sell a fraction of their crops on Fairtrade terms. 1000 of Fairtrade cotton farmers have sold little to no Fairtrade cotton in the last few years. At the same time, there are millions of disadvantaged farmers that could benefit: just 1.2% of the world is cocoa comes from Fairtrade farmers; in cane sugar and cotton it is even less. 

Fairtrade Africa welcomes Fairtrade Sourcing Programs as an important new model to open up more ways for farmers to benefit from Fairtrade, said Chief Adam Tampuri, Chair of Fairtrade Africa and member of the Fairtrade International Board. 1000 farmers in West Africa are in dire need of new opportunity to sell their cocoa and cotton as Fairtrade. We believe Fairtrade Sourcing Programs are a main part of the solution.

New sales opportunities for producers 

Up to now, our focus has been solely on certifying consumer products with the FAIRTRADE Mark. To carry the Mark, 100% of a product must be Fairtrade or, for a product with multiple ingredients like ice cream or chocolate, all available ingredients must be Fairtrade certified.

Fairtrade will introduce the new Sourcing Programs alongside the existing model, opening up new sales opportunities for Fairtrade producers. worldwide, more and more companies have committed to buying sustainable cocoa, sugar or cotton, to use across whole product ranges or even their entire business. The new model provides a big chance for Fairtrade farmers to sell to companies who are focused on one or two key raw products, rather than certify end consumer products. Companies will be able to communicate their sourcing program commitment using a new, differentiated ‘Program Mark’ either on-pack or in their corporate communications. 

Under Fairtrade Sourcing Programs, producers will receive all the same Fairtrade benefits, including the protection of a Minimum Price and the Fairtrade Premium. 

The model and next steps 

The Sourcing Program model is the result of almost 2 years of detailed research and consultation involving Fairtrade producers, partners, and consumers. Around 200 partners, including over 40 producer organizations around the world took part. 

Fair trade fifth birthday celebrations in London

London celebrated 5th years as the biggest Fairtrade City in the world earlier this week. Organizers of the celebrations agreed that though working towards Fairtrade Town or City status is a lot of effort, it’s a great way to unite and energies neighbors, groups, local establishment and businesses to strive together towards a common goal and link them to people across the world. 

This week London reached its 5th anniversary as the world largest Fairtrade City, and it celebrated in style with a glitzy party for Fairtrade supporters. Fairtrade sparkling wine and canapés were enjoyed on the top floor of the City Hall home to the Mayor of London and the London Assembly which provided a marvelous setting with impressive views over the River Thames and the city beyond. The specially commissioned cake by Jane Asher, crafted to represent London famous skyline from unthinkable quantity of Fairtrade sugar and Fairtrade Divine chocolate, added to the glamour of the event.

However, as at all Fairtrade events, in the end the most sparkling and truly sparkling part of the evening was the enthusiasm for Fairtrade. Mayors, councilors, Fairtrade campaigners, Fairtrade business legislature, Fairtrade producers and Fairtrade Foundation staff showed real passion for all the hard work done collectively in making and keeping London Fairtrade status. Speaker after speaker approved that motivating a city the size of London to commit to Fairtrade is no easy task.

Rosie Boycott, who was in lieu of Mayor Boris Johnson, said the Mayor was very pleased London was doing so well. She continued: ‘It is a fantastic achievement that London is celebrating its 5th year as a Fairtrade City. This does not happen by accident you have to work at it. This is an incredible movement that is going from strength to strength in this city, capped by the adoption of Fairtrade by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics, earning them the title of the fairest Games ever.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games became the ‘fairest’ games ever by serving millions of visitors with Fairtrade certified tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar and bananas. 

Other speakers at the occasion included David Lammy MP and Fatima Ismael, from the Soppexcca Coffee Co-operative, in Nicaragua, who presented a packet of coffee ‘with the taste of social justice’ to Sophi Tranchell, Chair of Fairtrade London, who has spearhead the campaign from the beginning.

David Lammy said: ‘It is not surprising that, as a city of such diversity, London is leading the world on Fairtrade, which brings connectivity with people, narrowing the gap between north and south and recognizing our everyday jobs in this part of the world.

But, as with any good party, the compère for the evening left a bit of tension and drama to the end. London has pioneered the Fairtrade Towns and Cities movement, which has now spread across the globe with 100 of Fairtrade towns and cities from Paris to Quebec, Copenhagen to Toronto. The movement strength was on show at the celebrations as Brussels, Madrid and Wellington all sent video congratulations messages to London.

As she finished off the evening speeches, Sophi Tranchell shared the bitter-sweet news that Seoul, in South Korea, with a population of over 10 million, is soon likely to overtake London as the world’s largest Fairtrade City. ‘Still’, she said, we should feel proud of this ethical export.

Fairtrade celebrates 1000 schools in the UK

St Maxentius gained Fairtrade School status after incorporating Fairtrade into the curriculum throughout the past year, with staff and pupils committed to learning about trade across the globe. The award was presented to the pupils and staff at the school by Arun Ambatipudi, a member of the Fairtrade Foundation board and farmer from India (FFBFFI). 

Clare Bennett, Head teacher at St Maxentius in Bolton, says: ‘We are over the moon at being awarded not only with Fairtrade School Status, but also to have the honour of being the 1000th school. 

Throughout the year we are touched on issues nearby poverty, social justice and human rights, with pupils being able to explore the complexity of these, develop understanding and become more rounded global citizens. I am very proud of staff and pupils who have worked towards achieving Fairtrade status. 

Fairtrade has been incorporated into all part of the school curriculum from PSHE to math’s, from discussions on how much farmers are paid in the developing countries, to the amount of Fairtrade ingredients needed for a cake. Pupils held society events and encouraged school cooks to use Fairtrade ingredient. 

Arun says: It’s fantastic to see children across the UK learn about trade justice and the difference Fairtrade can make to those at the other end of the supply chain. In my group of people the Fairtrade premium is helping with diversification and food security – helping to train farmers in more sustainable practices – as well as with education and healthcare. 

I want to congratulate St Maxentius for all their hard work in gaining Fairtrade status, and hope to see more schools taking on the satisfying challenge of becoming a Fairtrade school.

The Fairtrade schools scheme, implemented in 2007, is a nationwide initiative by the Fairtrade Foundation to engage young people in development issues and help tackle global poverty through trade. As of July 2013 there were more than 5,000 schools registered as working towards the Fairtrade school status.

Being a Fairtrade school means that young people understand how trade works and how we can work together, to make it fairer. Schools use and promote Fairtrade products, and also take action for Fairtrade in their local community. By planning and running events to promote Fairtrade young people gain confidence and develop activity skills.

Katheryn Wise, Education Officer at Fairtrade Foundation, added reaching this landmark demonstrates not only the huge promise and enthusiasm of young people, their teachers and everybody in schools across the UK, it’s also testament to the appeal of Fairtrade, as a serious topic for classroom discussion, and as an attractive activity around the whole school.