Looking back over the past 3 years of Fairtrade in Llanelli, it has been a great success with the support of local people and all the local councils. For Carmarthenshire to remain a Fairtrade County , the role of Llanelli was essential. It has fulfilled this more than adequately. In fact this time Llanelli Fairtrade was a massive help to Carmarthenshire to enable it to be a Fairtrade County. We are excessively proud of that.
There are now changes being made. These are important and very good for the future of Fairtrade Llanelli. We will always need the continued support of all you lovely people of Llanelli. Tara Fisher is no longer the main representative for Fairtrade here as she has decided to do an Open University degree in Spanish and she will be continuing with her learning of Welsh. She will never give up her Welsh.
The new representative is now Erika McGrath. She has so many exciting ideas to put into practice to attract you all more and more to Fairtrade. It is a significant moment for us because Fairtrade now has a strong base in Llanelli and Erika will take it on to new heights. This is very thrilling and we are all very much stirred by Erika’s keenness and imagination.
We are going through difficult times with the coronavirus and no money. Local people are suffering and the growth of food banks shows us how in need we are. It is not a shameful thing to need a food bank. Nowadays they are actually a necessity in this country due to the lack of support given to ordinary people. The rich are helped all the time and the poor are neglected. At long last food banks are getting funding but I always feel that the fact that governments accept food banks as the norm is where the shame lies. It is governments who are failing us and not paying us enough to survive. Key workers who have risked their lives during this virus are not receiving a living wage.
So I do understand that when we promote Fairtrade it must sound improbable that we should support it. However, our eating habits are changing. We do not want food which is prepared through the cruelty of animals. Compassion in World Farming has become much more famous as it is seen as the way forward in the future. We are looking towards saving the environment and the pollution levels have to be brought down. We were made aware of this during this pandemic. Because the whole world was in Lockdown and no cars were on the roads, the pollution levels dropped like a stone. People are starting to cycle and walk and using public transport even with social distancing.
People are caring more about the world around them and young people are being more active in fighting for climate change. This can only be done if governments follow and listen to what the people are saying. There was a point when you could get monetary support to put in solar panels but governments then removed it.
So we struggle on. Fairtrade is part of that struggle. Our Fairtrade farmers are activists in growing our coffee , tea, etc. Their farms are actually groups of smallholdings, working together in Co-operatives, where they have to follow the ten rules of Fairtrade.
Ten Principles of Fairtrade
1. Opportunities for disadvantaged producers
Fairtrade enables farmers in the developing world to move from poverty to self-sufficiency
2. Transparency and Accountability
It respects confidentiality but at the same time involves appropriate ways to involve employees in decision – making.
3. Fairtrade Practices
Traders are aware of the disadvantages of the lives of these farmers and they are therefore treated fairly, paying them fairly and quickly and the well-being of marginalised small producers is seen as being extremely important.
4. Fair payment
Mutually negotiated and agreed by all. There should be fair prices and fair wages with a local living wage.
5. No child labour and no forced labour
Commitment to the United Nations Rights of the child.
6. Commitment to Non-discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic empowerment and Freedom of association
This is self-explanatory.
7. Ensuring good working conditions
Health and Safety.
8. Providing capacity building
This means developing the skills and capabilities of employees.
9. Promoting Fair Trade
Honesty, clarity and fairtrade activities are essential.
10. Respect for the environment
Minimise environmental impacts, recycling and trying to dispatch goods by sea.
Our Fairtrade producers have to follow these rules and principles even though whole countries do not follow them. This is why our farmers are activists in protecting the environment. Hence it is vital to support them by buying Fairtrade goods as much as possible.
Finally, Erika is looking forward to your support which I am positive you will give as you gave to Tara Fisher. Good luck, Erika.
