Fairtrade, A Social Movement for Developing Countries

Question 10: What is Fairtrade, how does it strive to make a difference and is it effective in so doing?

Fairtrade International defines fair trade as, "an alternative approach to conventional trade based on a partnership between producers and traders, business and consumers." In more broad terms, fair trade is an organized social movement designed to help producers in developing country achieve better working and trading conditions, as well as promote sustainability. Several different organizations exist that promote fair trade, but FLO International (Fairtrade International) is the most successful in Denmark as well as the owner of the fair trade mark. Elsebeth Nordlund, the product manager for Fairtrade Danmark, discussed the goals of Fairtrade with our class - social development, economic development, environmental development, and elimination of forced and/or child labor.

The Fairtrade logo has high brand recognition in Denmark. 

One thing that makes FLO International stand out among the rest of the world's fair trade organizations is their Fairtrade Premium, which is money that is used to generally improve the community. Elsebeth cited several examples of this premium's successes such as being utilized to build a basketball court to keep teenagers in South Africa vineyards from drinking and doing drugs, or building a school in a rural Ghana village. The goal of the money is to make the community as a whole better, not just allow for more individual gain for local farmers. One other important focus of fair trade is the elimination of child labor. The organization has audits several times a year, often by surprise to make sure that farmers are staying true to all of the rules outlined by FLO. However, I was interested to learn that one of the major criticisms for fair trade is that the organizations cannot oversee the entire process perfectly. For example, one major issue is the uncontrolled use of seasonal migrant workers. For example, banana plantations may get by with 3 farmers for the majority of the year but come harvest season, the farmers often hire illegal workers without proper paperwork. This is seen as a flaw in the system that cannot be prevented from happening all the time. 

Fairtrade is very popular in the United Kingdom.

Overall, I really appreciated the idea behind fair trade. My only criticism is that it does not do enough environmentally, in my opinion. I was unimpressed with the sustainability goals, particularly when contrasted with organic guidelines. While I appreciate that the organization tries to make it easier for the farmers and they blacklist certain pesticides, it seems that there could be more to do when it comes to educating farmers about sustainable agricultural techniques. Social, economic, and environmental issues go hand and hand. I see the economic and social side of the organization as very strong, but I think the environmental aspect could use some more work. 

One of the most surprising things I learned about Fairtrade is that the organization has expanded to include gold and cotton in addition to their food products. 

A bar of gold certified by Fairtrade International.

Photo sources: 
Photo 1: http://365stepswithoutchocolate.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/fairtrade_make-it-happen-choose-fairtrade-banner.jpg
Photo 3: http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-620/h--/q-95/sys-images/Environment/Pix/pictures/2013/9/5/1378395261414/Fairtrade-gold--009.jpg