Hello from Fairtrade Llanelli. May we take this opportunity to wish you all a safe journey through the next few weeks of lockdown and restrictions.
If a positive should come out of all this time of uncertainty it is a revaluation of our belief system. It has given us all a chance to think about the world we would like to see unfold before us.
The days of profit at any cost to the earth and our environment are seriously being questioned, for a more ethical and sustainable future.
Our former sense of security has been undermined with access to all the things we once had like doctor’s appointments, freedom to do what we wanted, when we wanted, without restrictions; and so many other major changes to life as we once knew it.
We are on the threshold of a new world order of our own design – with more love, humanity, respect and consciousness. We can make a difference by being aware of the how’s and where’s. How did our bananas end up on our table? Where and how was coffee/chocolate produced? What can we do to make life better – fairer?
In these unprecedented times when so much has felt unfamiliar and uncertain we’ve all had to get used to working differently because there is no choice. For me the challenge of the internet, and virtual are the biggest in my life. I am a person-to-person human and would love to resume that status, taking the opportunity to tell you all about the work that Fairtrade does throughout the world. As it is I have to try and condense it and hope you will bear with me on this.
Here at Fairtrade we are fortunate to be supported by our Welsh Government who have given us a grant to go virtual. Most of us have had some kind of financial support to see us through these harrowing months. We are proud that Wales is the World’s first Fair Trade nation.
Wales is full of people who give time and energy to building a better, fairer world for future generations and showcasing this to the world is an important part of our international strategy. Well done Wales, the little country with a big heart!
It’s not a coincidence that Lonely Planet has given us Six out of Ten top beaches in the world Award! Beautiful country, beautiful people.
Unfortunately these financial benefits are not prevalent throughout the world which is why Fairtrade stepped in to try and address the shortfalls. Why Fairtrade? Because trade isn’t fair! Profit has always been at the centre of all transactions, as we see from Nestle for
example. Despite making over 40 million dollars in profit last year they have decided to pull out of Fairtrade cocoa with “Kit Kat” in favour of a cheaper negotiation, leaving millions of small scale farmers around the world more vulnerable and disempowered! Shame on Nestle which is why we should boycott Kit Kat until they realise their unethical practises!
Like the farmers themselves we believe that Fairtrade is the best scheme to empower and support them. It is in times like these we see how important the Fairtrade minimum price is. Farmers and workers around the world don’t get enough profit their hard work deserves.
Millions are forced to sacrifice education, medical treatment and any hope of a future just to survive. Climate emergency is a reality hitting them hard even though they did the least to cause it.
Crops are failing, extreme weather conditions are more frequently ruining harvests and plant diseases (previously unknown) caused by climate change are more common .
The Coronavirus Pandemic poses a huge threat to rural communities with limited healthcare services, farmers and workers also face an uncertain future and collapsing markets. Today we see the lowest coffee prices in fifteen years and less coffee to sell because of the changing climate! This is not a future to feel secure about.
Fairtrade is one way to make a difference, by choosing products with the Fairtrade logo when you shop, you are actively being part of the solution and not the problem.
Why? because farmers and workers get a better deal and the produce was produced in the most sustainable way possible in relation to the environmental factors. It’s times like this we see how important the Fairtrade minimum price is. Every purchase goes towards a fairer deal for the producers and farmers of our much enjoyed produce.
The Fairtrade premium gives a more secure investment for their future. Enabling them to decide where and what to invest in, be it new technology, health centres, educational facilities. They know how best to invest in their organisations and joint decision making. At the moment the latest Fairtrade relief fund is assisting thousands of producers hit by COVID-19 in 55 countries, to cope with the impact of the crisis.
It’s a reason that Fairtrade certifies small scale farmer organisations, for certain products like coffee, cocoa, cotton, rice and more. Small is beautiful and more manageable.
Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of the people who grow and create the things we love. It’s all about making trade fair. Know when you choose the products that charge leves, you are doing your bit towards a “fairer” ethical and sustainable future. The power is in our choices.
To conclude with a quote from the Dalai Lama when asked what we can do for the future of the planet,
“The time has come to pay serious attention to ecology and peace in the world. Continuing to manufacture weapons and engaging in warfare is self destructive. Thinking of others in terms of us and them and resorting to force is outdated. We are all in this TOGETHER, it’s our chance to create a better, fairer world, It’s non-violence and compassion on which we have to rely .“
Fairtrade is a movement committed to urgent action to ‘STOP EXPLOITATION’ and fight back against climate emergency. We invite you all to join us on our facebook page and look forward to meeting virtually.
