(Photo's courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation)

We are all involved in trade, often as buyers of goods like food, clothes and sports goods that come from poor countries. The way we trade can determine whether or not families in poor countries have enough to eat and whether they can afford to send their children to school.

Often producers of the goods we buy are paid less than a living wage and have to work in unsafe conditions without the rights that we in the UK would see as basic human rights. Fairtrade is a growing, international movement that ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means: a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and provides a living income); a long-term relationship that provides real security; support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses sustainably and increase sales.

Some of the Fair Trade products you can buy are; Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Sugar, Snack Bars, Chocolate, Dried Fruit, Fresh Fruit, Honey, Sweets, Rice, Pasta, Cake, Fruit Juice, Nuts, Jam, Flowers, Sports Balls, Alcoholic Drinks, Craft, Jewellery, Clothes….to name a few! Take a look at our Swansea Directory to find out where to get these products in Swansea.

The Fairtrade Foundation licenses the FAIRTRADE Mark, to products which meet internationally recognised standards.

(FAIRTRADE Mark courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation)

Sales of products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark in 2004 topped £140m. Amongst the 20 countries across Europe, North America, Japan and Australia/New Zealand and Mexico that make up FLO, the UK has the largest Fairtrade market.

For further information please visit www.fairtrade.org.uk

*Note the differences between Fair Trade, Fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark...
Fair Trade = Ethical trading, meaning companies are involved in a process of trying to ensure that the basic labour rights of the employees of their third world suppliers are respected. However, some companies may make their own ‘fair trade’ claims without having the independent scrutiny of the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Fairtrade = Term used to describe products with the FAIRTRADE Mark, as awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation.
FAIRTRADE Mark = The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on UK products as a guarantee that they have given their producers a better deal. The Mark is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation.