Hugo Forshaw, Head of Influencing at the Fairtrade Foundation, commented on the recent trade deal between the UK and India, saying:
“Fairtrade hopes that the UK-India free trade agreement can be a catalyst for fairer and more ethical trade between the two countries.
“India remains the second biggest country of origin for UK tea. The elimination of tariffs on imported Indian tea and other agricultural products in this agreement must be used to enable Indian producers to sell to the UK market on fairer terms which enable smallholder farmers and agricultural to earn living incomes.
“We are encouraged that both India and the UK are committed to protecting the environment, promoting decent working conditions and the effective enforcement of labour laws, and increasing the participation of women in the labour market.
“We now look forward to reviewing the effects of the agreement on the living and working conditions of smallholder farmers and agricultural workers in India who export their produce to the UK.”