Fairtrade Belfast

Belfast was awarded fairtrade status in June 2005 and is the only city in the UK and Ireland to receive this title.

The status was granted by the UK Fairtrade Foundation in recognition of the wide variety of restaurants, bars, cafés and shops in the city which supply fairtrade goods.

The next Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from 22 February to 7 March 2010.

The theme of this year's event is 'The Big Swap', where we'll be asking everyone to swap their normal
purchases for Fairtrade goods.

More information is available from the Fairtrade website

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a commercial organisation which promises a minimum price for goods to disadvantaged and excluded
producers in the developing world.

This price covers the cost of sustainable production, no matter what the market conditions, and any profits raised are invested back into community development projects, managed by producers or farming organisations.

Examples include schemes to update farming roads, improve farming production and harvesting techniques, build schools, buy school buses, provide resource and computer centres, upgrade sterilisation equipment in local hospitals or provide university education for teenagers.

As well as helping customers buy goods produced to the highest ethical and social standards, Fairtrade also raises awareness of the environment and allows producers to compete against global manufacturers.

Products which meet international Fairtrade standards, set by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO), are easily identified by the Fairtrade Mark (above).

Goals

The main goals of Fairtrade Belfast are:

to improve the livelihood and wellbeing of producers by improving market access, strengthening producer organisations and paying a sustainable price for their labour while respecting the environment at all times

to promote development opportunities for disadvantaged producers, especially women and indigenous people, as well as protecting children from any potential exploitation during production

to raise awareness among consumers of their positive purchasing power by counter-acting the negative pressures and social injustices placed on small-scale producers through international trade

to campaign for changes in the rules and practices of international trade by highlighting the need for development, resources and improved market access.