Please upgrade to the latest version ofFlash Player.
Click
hereif you already have
Flash Player installed.
Fair trade is a growing, international
movement which ensures that producers in developing countries get a
fair price for their goods. Buyers purchase directly from
small farmer cooperatives, allowing more of the revenue to be directly
routed to the farmers, as opposed to a “middle man.” The fair price
agreement protects the producers by: covering the cost of production
and guaranteeing a living income, long-term contracts which afford real
security; and providing support to gain the knowledge and skills that
they need to develop their businesses and increase sales.
Fair trade practices also include:
•
Providing
employment without discrimination and striving to create employment
opportunities for women and the most disadvantaged communities.
•
Guaranteeing that no
child labor is used for production, unless the entire family is
involved in the farming and the children are still attending school.
•
Following environmentally
sustainable production practices whenever possible: using locally-grown
goods, harvesting them sustainably, using renewable energy, and
avoiding processes that require artificial chemicals.
•
Providing technical and
financial guidance, market information and product development support
to the farmers.
