with reference to the article 'Is ''fair trade" fair?', I wish to say that there can be no question that the fair trade movement has resulted in substantial improvements for small farmers and producers in developing countries.
Fair trade started over 20 years ago to make sure that profit from the production of food such as coffee or banans went to the people who produced it, and not to an international company. Previously, many farmers had to sell their produce at a fixed, low price to other people or companies, who then sold it at a great profit.
Today, fair trade also helps producers to organize their own marketing and selling. This way they can demand a higher price and benefit from higher profit margins, which they can then re-invest to improve production. At the same time, high-quality, often organic, food is available to consumers at a reasonable price. They can buy this food knowing that no one was exploited in its production.
In my opinion, this is a win-win situation.
Yours
Philippa Schofield