Fairtrade is a trading partnership that focuses on sustainable development for poorer producers, by providing better trading conditions, raising awareness of their situation, and campaigning.

The prices paid for commodities such as coffee have not risen in the last forty years but the costs of fertilisers, pesticides and machinery from developed countries has dramatically increased forcing small farmers in developing countries into debt and even bankruptcy.

A number of charities realised the effect consumers and commercial manufacturers could have on changing and improving the situation for producers in developing countries. The charities, who include CAFORD, Christian Aid, New Consumer, Oxfam, Traidcraft and World Development set up the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK to help these small farmers and workers by implementing fair trade standards and regulating the sale of Fairtrade products. The Fairtrade Foundation awards the FAIRTRADE Mark to commercial products that meet 'internationally recognised standards of fair trade'.

Currently commodities being fairly traded include coffee, tea, cocoa, honey, bananas, mangoes, orange juice and sugar. Only those products awarded with the FAIRTRADE Mark qualify. There are plans to fairly trade other commodities in the future. At the moment all Fairtrade products are GMO free and some are organic.

It is important that consumers know about Fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark if they are to make a conscious decision to choose these products and support small farmers and workers in developing countries. Buying Fairtrade helps small farmers and workers make enough money. This allows them to improve their working conditions, improve product quality and invest in the stability of their working environment and organisations.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which is displayed on Fairtrade products, and guarantees that those who have been involved in production have been treated fairly. There are now over 1,000 different products which carry the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Fairtrade does exactly what the Mark says; it guarantees a better deal for producers. Look out for the FAIRTRADE Mark on products when you go shopping. The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees: farmers a fair and stable price for their products; extra income for farmers and estate workers to improve their lives; a greater respect for the environment; small farmers a stronger position in world markets; a closer link between consumers and producers.

The Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), is an international organisation which unites 20 national initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia and New Zealand. Producers registered with the FLO receive a minimum price that always covers the cost of production and an extra premium for investment in local community projects as agreed democratically by that community.

FLO also has producer representation on its Board, is responsible for setting Fairtrade prices that customers will pay, and ensuring that registered producers adhere to agreed policies and standards. As a member of FLO, The Fairtrade Foundation oversees the Fairtrade system in the UK. It is responsible for raising awareness of Fairtrade and licensing the FAIRTRADE Mark to products which meet internationally recognised standards.



According to the United Nations, co-operatives contribute directly to raising the living standards of over half the world’s population by creating jobs, improving livelihoods, providing access to financial services and building strong communities.

Co-operatives can provide much needed support and market access for small farmers and agricultural producers. Producer co-operatives can get better prices for their crops and benefit from savings from the bulk purchases of seeds, fertilisers etc. And, most importantly, producer co-operatives are enterprises owned and democratically run by their member farmers.

Fairtrade encourages smallholder farmers to work together in co-operatives to help themselves out of poverty. This way they can share knowledge and resources, strengthen their bargaining power, and invest in the future. Most Fairtrade producers are themselves co-operatives.
 
Co-operatives throughout the world share a set of values that give them their distinctive character:

• Self-help in co-operatives: people help each other whilst helping themselves by working together for mutual benefit.
• Self-responsibility: individuals within co-operatives act responsibly, assume responsibility for their actions and play a full part in the organisation.
• Democracy: a co-operative is structured so that members have control over the organisation
• Equality: each member has equal rights and benefits (according to their contribution).
• Equity: members are treated justly and fairly.
• Solidarity :members support each other and other co-operatives.

The following seven co-operative principles are the guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice:

• Voluntary and open membership.
• Democratic member control.
• Member economic participation.
• Autonomy and independence.
• Education, training and information.
• Co-operation amongst co-operatives.
• Concern for the community

There are a variety of retailers, manufacturers and organisations which sell or provide Fairtrade products. In order to participate in Fairtrade, all the customer has to do is to buy FAIRTRADE Mark products, and, because of the independent international standards and regulations that govern the system, they can rest assured that their purchase is helping producers in the developing world.

Here are a few key features of Fairtrade:

	Producers are paid a fair price guaranteed always to cover the cost of production. So, if a crop price collapses on the world market, Fairtrade growers are protected and have stability allowing them to plan ahead. This future security can be as important as the financial benefits of Fairtrade.
An additional premium is paid on topof the guaranteed price. Producers themselves decide democratically whether this money is, for example, spent in improving local services, building a health centre or school, or put back into the business.
	Fairtrade is not charity. It is a network of organisations that ensure people are not being exploited through the traditional methods of international trade. It is about being paid a fair price with an additional social premium to help develop communities and empower growers.
Fairtrade suppliers agree to follow internationally agreed labour standards: they will recognise trade unions; they will not use child labour or forced labour; they will not discriminate on the basis of sex or religion or caste; they will provide decent working conditions.
	The Fairtrade system offers producers a more appropriate return on their supply, avoiding unscrupulous middlemen and scale rigging. This protects small, vulnerable and remote growers who are otherwise exposed to hostile, unfair systems.
Fairtrade farms promote environmental sustainability, for example, by reducing pesticide use. Pictures courtesy of The Fairtrade Foundation