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February marks the start of
Fairtrade Fortnight - spotlighting
efforts to promote decent
working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and
workers in the developing world.
In 2007 people in the UK forked out
a staggering £493million on products
carrying the Fairtrade mark.
Here are Stir it up’s top
five Fairtrade facts:
- One in four bananas sold in UK
supermarkets is now Fairtrade.
- There are now more than 3,000
Fairtrade products compared to
just THREE in 1994.
- More of us are drinking Fairtrade
certified alcohol than ever before.
More than 100 Fairtrade wines are
now available, as well as beers
and ale. Churchgoers can sing the
praises of new Poterian Fairtrade
Communion Wine too!
- 53 per cent of Brits recognise
the Fairtrade Mark and correctly
associate the symbol with a
better deal for producers in
the developing world.
- In one year Fairtrade coffee sales
rose 24 per cent to over £117million.
Fairtrade is not the only ethical label
to be found on coffee and tea. Some
of the biggest food brands, such as
Unilever’s PG Tips are moving towards
more ethical and environmentally
responsible practices, working with
US-based conservation charity
Rainforest Alliance.
Kenco, Lavazza and Lyons are all
launching ethical offerings that are
Rainforest Alliance certified.
The Alliance became interested in
coffee when coffee farmers began
clearing rainforest in South and Central
America to grow ‘full sun’ coffee in a
desperate attempt to increase harvests.
The Rainforest Alliance also stipulates
that at least 40 per cent of the ground
should be shaded.
For growers to be certified, they must
adhere to a list of sustainable principles
including conserving local wildlife
and water resources, minimising
soil erosion, treating workers fairly,
protecting the forest and reforesting
where possible. |
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