About Fair Trade

Fair to Trade Ltd work with producers who are members of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) or are closely linked with groups, mainly NGOs) that are members. Fair to Trade Ltd has been recognised by the British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) as a fair trade importer reflecting that our products are manufactured under conditions that meet recognised employment standards consistent with improving the livelihoods of poor and marginalised people from developing countries. These include fair wages, providing clean and safe working environments, allowing workers the freedom to join trade union groups, providing skills training and promotion prospects.

According to BAFTS, Fair Trade in Europe started as a grassroots movement over 40 years ago. The aim was to alleviate poverty in the ‘South’ – Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean – by building direct, sustainable relationships with disadvantaged producers and providing fair access to markets in the developed ‘North’. The aims are the same now, but Fair Trade has developed into a powerful force, symbolised by a high level of European co-operation.

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.

Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.

All involved in Fair Trade accept that it has to include: paying fair prices to producers which reflect the true cost of production, supporting producer organisations in their social and environmental projects, promoting gender equality in pay and working conditions, advising on product development to increase access to markets, committing to long term relationships to provide stability and security and campaigning to highlight the unequal system of world trade which places profit above human rights and threatens our environment.