Fairtrade foundation calls on brits not to 'feed exploitation' as it's fortnight of action kicks-off
By Sean Nevin
The Fairtrade Foundation is celebrating 25 years since its launch in the UK.
Fairtrade Fortnight, the highlight of the year for the organisation, is in full swing across the country with this year’s event, running until March 10th, encouraging Brits ‘not to feed exploitation’.
This year’s campaign focuses on raising awareness around the struggles of female cocoa farmers in western Africa.
“Fairtrade is launching a new campaign calling on governments, businesses and consumers to address the poverty in the cocoa industry by working towards living incomes for farmers,” a spokesperson for the Fairtrade Foundation said.
“Consumers can show their support by getting involved in our new campaign ‘She Deserves’, which is shining a light on the challenges facing women farmers in particular."
Globally, there are six million people who depend on growing cocoa for their livelihoods, many of whom are female.
The organisation says cocoa farmers need to earn £1.86 a day to cover life’s essentials, but the average daily salary for cocoa farmers is currently 74p, with this number even lower for women.
“We want to make sure the conditions under which our ingredients are sourced is ethical and fair,” says Frederik Senger, co-founder of Fairtrade tea brand Little Miracles.
“Our consumers appreciate that they are making a conscious choice when they purchase our products. They know they are making a little impact every time when they drink our teas.”
Oliver Short, co-founder of chocolatiers Seed and Bean, believes Fairtrade certified brands using cocoa could do more to drive the cause by using a higher percentage of cocoa from Fairtrade farmers.
“It is common practice to use the mass balance system which allows the cocoa buyer to obtain Fairtrade certification by mixing conventional cocoa with Fairtrade cocoa,” Short said.
“The cocoa buyer is permitted to buy a majority of non-Fairtrade, cocoa and mix with a small amount of Fairtrade cocoa to create a product such as a chocolate bar. They are permitted to carry the Fairtrade logo.
“At Seed and Bean, we source cocoa which is 100 percent Fairtrade. We select this type of cocoa as it is not mixed with any non-Fairtrade product.
“We strive as much as possible to ensure that our products are what they say on the tin. When we say they are Fairtrade, we assure consumers that they contain Fairtrade.”
Fairtade is celebrating its 25th birthday.