Frequently Asked Questions
What is fair trade? Fair trade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay above market prices, fair trade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their lot and nave more control over their lives.
What does fair trade mean for 'third world' producers?
For 5 million people -workers, farmers and their families in the developing world - fairtrade means better terms of trade and decent production conditions. The Fairtrade Foundation, with its partners, maintains these standards by regularly inspecting 'third world' suppliers, and checking contracts and trade terms.
What is the Fairtrade Mark?
 The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on UK products as a guarantee that they have given their producers a better deal. The Mark is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation, a registered charity set up by CAFOD. Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft Exchange and the World Development Movement. It shares internationally recognised Fairtrade standards with initiatives in 17 other countries, working together as Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).
Why do some products claim to be fair trade but not carry the Mark?
Some organisations like Oxfam and Traidcraft have been trading fairly for many years, and sell a wide range of fairly traded products. Consumers can trust these organisations, because challenging poverty is their main purpose. However, son;-other companies make their own 'fair trade' claims without having the independent scrutiny of the Fairtrade Mark, or the interests of producers at heart. If you are shopping and see tea, coffee, bananas or cocoa products without the Mark, there is no guarantee that they give producers a fair deal.
What products are available and where can I find them?
The Fairtrade Mark appears on over 830 different products, including coffee, tea, bananas and other fresh fruit, cocoa and chocolate, juices, snacks, biscuits, nuts and nut oil, wine, roses, footballs. honey and sugar. They are available in most major supermarkets, wholefood and fairtrade shops, by mail order, the internet and through Traidcraft Fair Traders. If your local store doesn't have the product you want, please ask the manager to Stock it!
Why are there not more types of Fairtrade Mark products?
It takes much time and money to develop criteria to ensure that new Fairtrade Marked products really will benefit producers. The initial focus for the Fairtrade Mark was on agricultural commodities, such as coffee and tea, which have the most widespread impact on the livelihoods of small producers in the developing world. More products are following year by year.
Are there organic products with the Fairtrade Mark?
There is a wide choice of organic coffee, tea, honey, cocoa and chocolate products carrying the Fairtrade Mark and the range is increasing steadily. You can read more information on the differences between fair trade and organic on the Fairtrade Foundation website www.fairtrade.org.uk
What about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?
At the moment there are no GMO crops in the categories covered by the Fairtrade Mark so all Fainrade Marked products are GMO-free. Should GMOs become available in these categories the Foundation and its partners would consult widely with producers and take account of any public concern on this issue before allowing their use - the key factor for fair trade organisations is whether such developments would help producers in developing countries.
return to top of page |
