Fairtrade and the Co-op

THE Fairtrade mark was introduced to ensure a better deal for growers and small scale producers in developing countries. These people have often found that because of their remoteness or size of operation they are unable to obtain a fair price on their products. They have been marginalised by international trading and have often been vulnerable to unscrupulous middle men.

The Fairtade Foundation awards the only independent consumer guarantee - the FAIRTRADE Mark - to individual products which meet international Fairtrade standards regarding terms of trade and conditions of production.

At present there are only a limited number of commodity groups where internationally agreed Fairtrade criteria exist and only products derived from these commodities are able to qualify for the FAIRTRADE Mark. Other product areas are being worked upon but this takes time. Fairtrade strengthens the position of the poor producers enabling them to find solutions and tackle their poverty.

For growers, Fairtrade means prices that always cover the cost of production and allow for sustainable livelihoods, no matter how low the world price goes. For workers, Fairtrade means decent working conditions and wages that meet international and local labour standards. Importantly, the Fairtrade price also includes an additional social premium so that growers can invest in their communities and businesses. The workers and growers decide democratically how to invest their extra income, making participation and joint responsibility of key importance.

Together, growers have used this income to: - improve their homes - improve education and healthcare facilities - build roads - invest in their businesses making them more efficient and sustainable - diversify into other crops and income generating projects.

How the Co-op Helps

- The Co-op Retail Trading Group now stocks a Fairtrade Mark tea, coffee and chocolate in virtually all its grocery stores which means...

- ....the Co-op stocks Fairtrade products in more outlets than any other retailer.

- The Co-op was the first retailer to bring Fairtrade bananas to the UK.

- The Co-op was the first to launch an own-brand FAIRTRADE Mark product - Co-op Divine Milk Chocolate, in partnership with The Day Chocolate Company, makers of Divine and Dubble.

- The Co-op has consistently done more to support Fairtrade Fortnight than any other grocery retailer. - Many of the Co-op's members are active in building awareness of Fairtrade with activities such as tastings, leafletting and conference events.

- The Co-op launched another UK supermarket first, Co-op Roast and Ground Coffee, as depressed world coffee prices were forcing Colombian coffee growers to produce cocaine rather than coffee beans.

- The Co-op launched the first supermarket own-brand fairly traded wines.

- The Co-op was the first to introduce Fairtrade Mangoes to the UK.

- The Co-op was the first to launch an own-brand instant coffee.

- The Co-op was the first to launch a Fairtrade chocolate cake.

- The Co-op is always looking to find ways of bringing more fairly traded products to the market.

It is vital that the Co-op continues to build awareness of Fairtrade. The Co-op has worked hard to increase awareness and will continue to do so. The Co-op's main Fairtrade objectives are to increase the range and availability to customers of Fairtrade products and also very importantly to increase customer awareness of Fairtrade issues.

To find out more about Fairtrade, Ethical Trading and the Co-op visit www.coop.co.uk.