Fairtrade Belfast

Belfast was awarded Fairtrade City status in June 2005 by the UK Fairtrade Foundation. It was also granted the same status by Fairtrade Mark Ireland in March 2006, making it the only city in the UK and Ireland to receive this dual title.

For more information on how to become a Fairtrade town, city or village, visit the
UK Fairtrade Foundation website or Fairtrade Mark Ireland website

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers in the developing world.

What is the Fairtrade certification mark?

This mark is an independent consumer label which can only appear on products from the developing world which meet the social, economic and environmental Fairtrade standards established by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).

The Fairtrade mark guarantees that the producer receives a minimum price and a social premium that is determined regionally and reviewed at regular intervals. It certifies products and not companies. These international standards were established to support the sustainable development of small-scale producers and agricultural workers in the poorest countries in the world.

For more information on the FLO, minimum pricing and social premiums, visit www.fairtrade.net

International Fairtrade standards

ensure that producers receive a minimum set price that covers their average costs of sustainable production, no matter what the market conditions are
provide an additional Fairtrade premium which is invested directly back into community projects which enhance social, economic and environmental development. 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
enable pre-financing for producers who require it
facilitate long-term trading partnerships and enable greater producer control over the trading process
set clear, minimum and progressive criteria to ensure that the conditions of production and trade of all Fairtrade certified products are socially and economically fair and environmentally responsible.

As well as providing customers with Fairtrade certified products which are produced to the highest ethical and social standards, Fairtrade also raises awareness of the environment and allows producers to compete against global manufacturers.

Why is Fairtrade needed?

two billion people exist on less than $2 (£1.35) a day
small-scale producers cannot plan for tomorrow, let alone the future, with constantly changing commodity prices, volatile markets and unfair trade rules
rising food and fuel costs are hitting the poorest hardest – 100 million more people are in extreme hunger as a result of a global food crisis
the effects of climate change and erratic weather patterns mean reduced harvests and an uncertain future for many communities in the developing world.

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

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

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

campaign for changes in the rules and practices of international trade by highlighting the need for development, resources and improved market access
work with central and local government and large and small businesses to help them play their part in corporate social responsibility and procurement and to encourage them to help the vulnerable people who produce the commodities we all take for granted.