Update on discussions with the Soil Association
Statement
The Soil Association and the Fairtrade Foundation have now come to an extremely satisfactory agreement about the best way to work together. This has followed consultation exercise over the past few months with input from a wide range of stakeholders including the public, members of development organisations, the supermarkets, MPs, and a number of licensees. One of the principal findings of this exercise has been how strongly the FAIRTRADE Mark is associated with the reduction of poverty in the developing world.
Therefore, the two organisations have agreed :
- the Soil Association will label products from the developed world which are exemplars of best practice on the social/ethical side, and in order to inform the consumer that the farmer is receiving a fair price for their product. They will NOT use the word Fairtrade on that label; nor will it be called ethical trade. They are currently considering the best option for wording, and are developing their standards. This will be a label only for use in the UK initially, and perhaps later across Europe but NOT in the developing world;
- to work together closely to improve the speed and ease of certification for producers in the developing world who wish to sell products that are both Fairtrade and organic. Their products will carry the two Marks as now. Procedures will be developed behind the scenes;
- the two organisations will cooperate to raise issues around the need for sustainable returns to farmers, wherever possible.
We believe that this is the best possible outcome for all parties.
For further information contact Barbara Crowther on 0207 440 7678