well i know that.........

the fair trade movement, also known as the trade justice movement, promotes international labour, environment and social standards for the production of traded goods and services. The movement focuses in particular on exports from the Third and Second Worlds to the First World; but there are many products sold by fair trade retailers which are produced in the first world too.

In October 2006, over 1.5 million disadvantaged producers worldwide were directly benefiting from fair trade while an additional 5 million benefited from fair trade funded infrastructure and community development projects.

Fair Trade has been growing at 37% year to year increase, making people wonder whether Fair Trade is the biggest growing market after The Internet.

How did Fair Trade begin?

Fair Trade started in the mid 1940s and early 1950s in developed countries. In the US, the Self Help Craft, began buying needlework from Puerto Rico in 1946. In Europe Oxfam UK started to sell crafts made by Chinese refugees in Oxfam shops in the late in1950s. Parallel initiatives were taking place in the Netherlands.

In the 1960s professional Fair Trade Organizations started emerging and in the 1970s World Shops (or fair trade shops as they are called in different parts of the world) continued to emerge. As Fair Trade organizations grew they started addressing a wide variety of problems while propounding the message "Trade Not Aid" in international fora and conferences.

Fair trade Labelling

Fair Trade aims to guarantee not just fair prices, but also the principles of ethical purchasing. These principles include adherence to ILO agreements such as those banning child and slave labour, guaranteeing a safe workplace and the right to unionise, adherence to the United Nations charter of human rights, a fair price that will at least cover the cost of production and facilitate social development, and especially in agriculture, protection and conservation of the environment. Fair trade also aims for long-term business relationships that are transparent throughout the chain. For consumers, fair trade seeks to guarantee high quality. This is usually indicated to the consumer by a fair trade label or brand.

What is a Fair Trade Organization?

The internationally accepted definition of a Fair Trade Organization is as follows:

"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South.

Fair Trade Organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional trade."

The International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) has more than 200 members in 59 countries worldwide, encompassing approximately 1 million people. Some members have worked in Fair Trade for over 40 years. These Fair Trade Organizations are: local businesses and organizations working for Fair Trade, from producers through to retailers. The Fair Trade definition above was developed by FINE (Fair Trade Labeling Oranisation, IFAT, Network of European World Shops, and European Fair Trade Association). IFAT have expanded the definition of a Fair Trade Organization and have agreed upon 9 rigorous standards which they must follow in their day to day work (see "What is IFAT?" sheet for more details").

At the World Social Forum in Mumbai in January 2004, IFAT launched the new FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION MARK.

Fair Trade Organizations that follow the 9 standards and are registered by IFAT may use the FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION MARK on websites, catalogues and promotional literature. In return for the right to use the Mark, the Fair Trade Organization must agree to adhere to IFAT's strict monitoring system. IFAT will carry out continuous monitoring of Fair Trade Organizations, to ensure they continue to follow the 9 standards.

10 Standards of Fair Trade

The International Fair Trade Associations (IFAT) prescribes 10 standards that Fair Trade organizations must follow in their day-to-day work and carries out continuous monitoring to ensure these standards are upheld:

1. Opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers are created

2. There is transparency and accountability of management and commercial relationships

3. Capacity building: Fair Trade is a means to develop producers' independence.

4. Promoting Fair Trade: Only honest advertising and marketing techniques and aim for the highest standards in product quality and packing are accepted in Fair Trade

5. Payment of a fair price: Wages should not only cover the cost of production but enable production which is socially just and environmentally sound. There is prompt payment and pre-harvest and pre-production financing whenever possible.

6. Gender Equity: Fair Trade means that women's work is properly valued and rewarded.

7. Safe Working Conditions

8. Child Labour: Fair Trade adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

9. The environment: Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.

10. Trade Relations: Fair Trade Organizations trade with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and do not maximise profit at their expense.

More information about these standards click here

Fair Trade in Malta

A small shop in Reggio Calabria (Italy) and a group of enthusiastic young people saw the birth of an initiative which led to the setting up of the first and only fair trade organization in Malta.

Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust (KKĠ) was set up in 1996 by the Third World Group (TWG). The TWG is one of the oldest development ngos in Malta. In 1997 KKĠ received full recognition by the Maltese state under the Cooperative Act. Run on a voluntary basis, KKĠ, is today one of the largest cooperatives in Malta with nearly 100 members.

In the beginning of summer of 1997 KKĠ purchased a small shop in Valletta. The shop was purchased through the financial backing of CRIC, a leding Italian NGDO and Banca Etica of Verona. In September 1997 KKĠ opened the first world shop in Malta called L-Arka (The Ark). With over a thousand different products this small shop, which is open daily from Monday to Sunday, has established a niche in the market for extremely original gifts and delicious food items. In these last few weeks the food items have been increased.

In 2000 KKĠ became a member of CTMaltromercato (Coperazione Terzo Mondo), Italy's largest fair trade organization. CTM is a consortium of world shops with more than 120 member organizations and over 200 points of sale. Since then KKĠ members have participated in seminars and general assemblies organized by CTM.

KKĠ is also a member of the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT). KKĠ members have participated in the last two general meetings, in 2001 (Arusha, Tanzania) and in 2003 Newcastle (the UK). During these meetings representatives develop further trading relationships with other fair trade organizations and producers from the south.

In these last two years KKĠ has organized national events. For these events KKĠ has invited over to Malta people directly involved in fair trade such as Harini Narayanan, a producer from India, Carol Wills IFAT's executive director, Stefano Magnoni CTM's vice-president, and Luca Palagi CTM's expert on fair trade in Africa.

Throughout these years KKĠ has sought to increase its sales by participating in various events on a national and local level. Whenever and wherever we have been our products and the whole initiative has been welcomed enthusiastically.

Fair trade in Malta and Europe has only one direction and that is to grow. I invite other organisations in the NMS to take up the challenge. Fair trade has proved itself to be a concrete way to minimize poverty in the developing countries of the south.

» printer friendly version

well i know that.........

the fair trade movement, also known as the trade justice movement, promotes international labour, environment and social standards for the production of traded goods and services. The movement focuses in particular on exports from the Third and Second Worlds to the First World; but there are many products sold by fair trade retailers which are produced in the first world too.

In October 2006, over 1.5 million disadvantaged producers worldwide were directly benefiting from fair trade while an additional 5 million benefited from fair trade funded infrastructure and community development projects.

Fair Trade has been growing at 37% year to year increase, making people wonder whether Fair Trade is the biggest growing market after The Internet.

How did Fair Trade begin?

Fair Trade started in the mid 1940s and early 1950s in developed countries. In the US, the Self Help Craft, began buying needlework from Puerto Rico in 1946. In Europe Oxfam UK started to sell crafts made by Chinese refugees in Oxfam shops in the late in1950s. Parallel initiatives were taking place in the Netherlands.

In the 1960s professional Fair Trade Organizations started emerging and in the 1970s World Shops (or fair trade shops as they are called in different parts of the world) continued to emerge. As Fair Trade organizations grew they started addressing a wide variety of problems while propounding the message "Trade Not Aid" in international fora and conferences.

Fair trade Labelling

Fair Trade aims to guarantee not just fair prices, but also the principles of ethical purchasing. These principles include adherence to ILO agreements such as those banning child and slave labour, guaranteeing a safe workplace and the right to unionise, adherence to the United Nations charter of human rights, a fair price that will at least cover the cost of production and facilitate social development, and especially in agriculture, protection and conservation of the environment. Fair trade also aims for long-term business relationships that are transparent throughout the chain. For consumers, fair trade seeks to guarantee high quality. This is usually indicated to the consumer by a fair trade label or brand.

What is a Fair Trade Organization?

The internationally accepted definition of a Fair Trade Organization is as follows:

"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South.

Fair Trade Organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional trade."

The International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) has more than 200 members in 59 countries worldwide, encompassing approximately 1 million people. Some members have worked in Fair Trade for over 40 years. These Fair Trade Organizations are: local businesses and organizations working for Fair Trade, from producers through to retailers. The Fair Trade definition above was developed by FINE (Fair Trade Labeling Oranisation, IFAT, Network of European World Shops, and European Fair Trade Association). IFAT have expanded the definition of a Fair Trade Organization and have agreed upon 9 rigorous standards which they must follow in their day to day work (see "What is IFAT?" sheet for more details").

At the World Social Forum in Mumbai in January 2004, IFAT launched the new FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION MARK.

Fair Trade Organizations that follow the 9 standards and are registered by IFAT may use the FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION MARK on websites, catalogues and promotional literature. In return for the right to use the Mark, the Fair Trade Organization must agree to adhere to IFAT's strict monitoring system. IFAT will carry out continuous monitoring of Fair Trade Organizations, to ensure they continue to follow the 9 standards.

10 Standards of Fair Trade

The International Fair Trade Associations (IFAT) prescribes 10 standards that Fair Trade organizations must follow in their day-to-day work and carries out continuous monitoring to ensure these standards are upheld:

1. Opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers are created

2. There is transparency and accountability of management and commercial relationships

3. Capacity building: Fair Trade is a means to develop producers' independence.

4. Promoting Fair Trade: Only honest advertising and marketing techniques and aim for the highest standards in product quality and packing are accepted in Fair Trade

5. Payment of a fair price: Wages should not only cover the cost of production but enable production which is socially just and environmentally sound. There is prompt payment and pre-harvest and pre-production financing whenever possible.

6. Gender Equity: Fair Trade means that women's work is properly valued and rewarded.

7. Safe Working Conditions

8. Child Labour: Fair Trade adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

9. The environment: Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.

10. Trade Relations: Fair Trade Organizations trade with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and do not maximise profit at their expense.

More information about these standards click here

Fair Trade in Malta

A small shop in Reggio Calabria (Italy) and a group of enthusiastic young people saw the birth of an initiative which led to the setting up of the first and only fair trade organization in Malta.

Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust (KKĠ) was set up in 1996 by the Third World Group (TWG). The TWG is one of the oldest development ngos in Malta. In 1997 KKĠ received full recognition by the Maltese state under the Cooperative Act. Run on a voluntary basis, KKĠ, is today one of the largest cooperatives in Malta with nearly 100 members.

In the beginning of summer of 1997 KKĠ purchased a small shop in Valletta. The shop was purchased through the financial backing of CRIC, a leding Italian NGDO and Banca Etica of Verona. In September 1997 KKĠ opened the first world shop in Malta called L-Arka (The Ark). With over a thousand different products this small shop, which is open daily from Monday to Sunday, has established a niche in the market for extremely original gifts and delicious food items. In these last few weeks the food items have been increased.

In 2000 KKĠ became a member of CTMaltromercato (Coperazione Terzo Mondo), Italy's largest fair trade organization. CTM is a consortium of world shops with more than 120 member organizations and over 200 points of sale. Since then KKĠ members have participated in seminars and general assemblies organized by CTM.

KKĠ is also a member of the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT). KKĠ members have participated in the last two general meetings, in 2001 (Arusha, Tanzania) and in 2003 Newcastle (the UK). During these meetings representatives develop further trading relationships with other fair trade organizations and producers from the south.

In these last two years KKĠ has organized national events. For these events KKĠ has invited over to Malta people directly involved in fair trade such as Harini Narayanan, a producer from India, Carol Wills IFAT's executive director, Stefano Magnoni CTM's vice-president, and Luca Palagi CTM's expert on fair trade in Africa.

Throughout these years KKĠ has sought to increase its sales by participating in various events on a national and local level. Whenever and wherever we have been our products and the whole initiative has been welcomed enthusiastically.

Fair trade in Malta and Europe has only one direction and that is to grow. I invite other organisations in the NMS to take up the challenge. Fair trade has proved itself to be a concrete way to minimize poverty in the developing countries of the south.

» printer friendly version

Milk can be Fair Trade, and it Can not.

Some people sell Fair Trade milk, some do not.

It depends on who/where you buy it from.

I hope I helped~