Fair Trade Eco Labels
Everyone recognises the above label. It tells you
that the product you are looking at was produced in such a way that the
workers involved were treated fairly.
But if I pick up two fair trade chocolate bars,
how can I compare the two, and decide which is best. Perhaps a rating
should be included with the label.
There is a need for a unified quantity based
ethical labelling system as is recognised by the food ethics council,
below is a summary of there report, taken from their website to which
there are links below:
- The UK market for ‘ethical’ food products
(labelled organic, Fairtrade or better for animal welfare) grew from
£1 billion in 1999 to £5.4 billion in 2005.
- The ethical labelling of products reveals the
intense competition on ethical performance that has opened up in the
food sector, particularly in retail.
- There is concern this competition may damage
consumer trust by generating a plethora of non-comparable ethical
claims.
- Dissatisfaction with minimum standards is
leading some accreditation bodies to move beyond monitoring
compliance to stress the need for corporate commitment.
- Collaboration, combining standards,
campaigning and regulation could all help to ensure that competition
on ethical performance drives progress across the whole sector.
- Choice editing to improve base-line
performance across a broad range of ethical criteria could
strengthen trust in major brands.
- Businesses can benefit from involving
customers in shaping their ethical policy.
http://www.foodethicscouncil.org
The report for this meeting can be found here.
http://www.foodethicscouncil.org/files/businessforum180308.pdf
I n 2006, the
Fairtrade market grew by 40% to a value of £200m, while the range of
products is now over 1500 items.
After years as a niche product, Fairtrade seems
to have finally broken through into the mainstream.
Yet as the movement grows, there is concern about
the premium pricing of Fairtrade products in some supermarkets, and
there is dismay in some circles that the controversial food giant Nestle
has been granted Fairtrade status.
More Info
Official
Fair Trade Site
Buy
Fairtrade Stuff Online
News
The People & Planet
Green League 2011 unveiled today (8 June) by the UK's leading
student campaign network reveals that the Fairtrade and ethical
performance of 142 universities has improved over the last year.
• People & Planet Green League reveals
improvements in Fairtrade & ethical procurement
• 30% increase in certified Fairtrade
Universities
• 19 out of Top 20 institutions and 67% of all
UK universities and colleges are now accredited Fairtrade Universities
showcasing their commitment to raising awareness and availability of
products with the FAIRTRADE Mark on campus.
19 out of the top 20 universities in this
year's ranking have achieved Fairtrade University status and 9 new
universities gained Fairtrade Status this year.
Fairtrade University certification is an
objective standard, accredited by the Fairtrade Foundation, for
progressive Fairtrade purchasing in universities. All across the UK,
students and university and college staff are taking action to make
their campuses more ethical, especially around raising awareness and
availability of products with the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Full Story on Fairtrade Stuff ay Universitys
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