Traidcraft on defending the Fairtrade Mark
August 2017
|
This summer, Sainsbury’s announced it would drop the Fairtrade Mark on its tea and pilot its own ‘Fairly Traded’ label. Many have been outraged, and in a matter of weeks an online petition topped 90,000 signatures. But why should we defend the Fairtrade Mark? It’s a basic question, yet easily brushed over. After all, Fairtrade is the most well-known and trusted ethical label in the world. In buying Fairtrade tea, chocolate or coffee, we are reassured no one has been exploited and that producers have been paid a fair price. But is this the end of the story? In a new blog, Policy Director Liz May gives an interesting take on the topic. She explains the principles behind Fairtrade - which have given it its strength - and argues that Sainsbury’s label cannot replace it. But she also talks about the limitations of the Mark. Because Fairtrade isn’t, and has never been, the solution to all injustices in global trade. Traidcraft is one of the founders of the Fairtrade Foundation and we stand behind the Mark. But in order to defend Fairtrade, we need to understand both its strengths and limitations. Read or download a copy of the Blog below: 
| ||
