Cirencester’s Fairtrade
Journey
Some people (and organisations) in Cirencester have been using Fairtrade products for many years
- 20 or more. In the early days of Fairtrade, you must have eaten or drunk
Fairtrade products on moral and ethical grounds because (I thought) they were below standard-
weak, gritty and tasting not much better than sawdust!
Now, product standards are equal to or perhaps higher than equivalent non-Fairtrade products,
and as such, sales of Fairtrade products are really taking off. Nationally
Fairtrade sales have been doubling each year for the last four years – and because
Cirencester already has eleven retail outlets marketing Fairtrade commodities, we
must be above average consumers of Fairtrade products.
Early in 2006, Cirencester Ashcroft Church decided to become a ‘Fairtrade Church’.
Deryck Nash, a former mayor of Cirencester, and member of Ashcroft Church,
urged a group to take this one step further - to town level. So a group of 12 Cirencester people
gathered to hear Su Chard (a south west representative of the Fairtrade
Foundation) speak about how she had guided Cam and Dursley through to becoming Fairtrade Towns,
what to avoid, and what being a Fairtrade Town means to them now.
Armed with innocent confidence, in November 2006 we approached the town council, asking if they
would support our efforts to make Cirencester into a Fairtrade Town. To our
surprise, after just one meeting, we received a resolution confirming their support. Now, a year
later, I understand why things moved so quickly. Our Mayor, Councillor
Shirley Alexander, is one of several councillors who feel passionately about what Fairtrade
stands for.
And so the first of Five Goals required to become a Fairtrade Town was
accomplished…
We hope we have reached the required standards of all five Goals, and are in the process of
making a bid to the Fairtrade Foundation to become a Fairtrade Town. We wait to
see if we are successful.
To find out more, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
Mike Dearsley
(Chair of Cirencester Fairtrade Steering Group)
What is Fairtrade?
The FAIRTRADE Mark does what it says… “Guarantees a better deal for third world
farmers”
The third world is used to describe poorer countries in South America, Africa and Asia. Many farmers
in these developing countries have to contend with fluctuating prices that
may not even cover the cost of production.
So Fairtrade promises a stable price that covers their production costs, along with a premium that
the organisation will be able to reinvest either in their business or local
community schemes.
The definition of Fairtrade.
“Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is a trading
partnership which aims at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged
producers. It seeks to do this by providing better trading conditions, by awareness raising and by
campaigning.”
How does Fairtrade work?
-
Producers are paid a fair price – guaranteed to be always above the world price, and to
cover the cost of production. So if a crop price collapses on the world market,
growers selling Fairtrade are protected and have stability allowing them to plan ahead.
-
An additional premium is paid on top. Producers themselves decide how this is to be spent –
it can be improving local conditions – building a health centre or
school – or put back into their business.
-
Non Fairtrade does not promise anything beyond the single contract. In Fairtrade, there is the
promise of a long term trading relationship. This makes it easier for farmers to
plan for the future. They can also get loans from banks more easily.
- Producers must belong to democratic organisations. These decide how to spend the
premium. These are almost always co-operatives.
-
Fairtrade suppliers agree to follow internationally agreed labour standards: they will recognise
trade unions; they will not use child labour or forced labour; they will not
discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, or caste; they will provide decent working conditions.
- Fairtrade suppliers promote environmental sustainability, for example, by
reducing pesticide use.
What is a Fairtrade Town?
A ‘Fairtrade Town’, (village, Borough, City, Zone) is a community, which has made a
commitment to supporting Fairtrade, and through it to support disadvantaged
farmers and workers in developing countries. It enables consumers, and any relevant organisations
they are members of, to campaign together for Fairtrade.
What makes a Fairtrade town?
The Fairtrade Foundation has agreed criteria for Fairtrade Towns and will declare towns Fairtrade
once targets have been achieved.
Five goals must be attained. When they are, a signed and dated certificate will be presented by the
Fairtrade Foundation.
-
Local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to make available Fairtrade
coffee and tea at it’s meetings and in it’s offices and canteens.
-
A range of (at least two) Fairtrade products are readily available in the area’s shops.
Fairtrade products are served inn local cafés / catering
establishments.
-
Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places (estate agents / hairdressers etc.)
and community organisations (churches / schools / nurseries etc.).
- Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
- A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to
its Fairtrade status.
How is Cirencester doing on the five goals?
- Town Council passed a resolution supporting Fairtrade in Nov 2006
-
A town the size of Cirencester (19000) requires a minimum of four retail outlets and two catering
outlets. Our surveys so far reveal support well beyond the minimum with 10
retail outlets; and 4catering outlets!!
-
We are doing well on community organisations using Fairtrade products; town council and 5
churches, but seem weaker on business’s having Fairtrade tea/coffee etc for
staff. 7 to date.
-
Two articles on Cirencester’s progress has appeared in the Wilts and Glos
Standard……and we are now on Cirencester’s official website.
-
Five people were present at the Cirencester’s first Steering Group meeting (27th Nov
2007). The members are growing quickly – 10 as at 1st Feb.
We are currently filling in the Fairtrade application form. We are hoping to be
able to declare our Fairtrade Town status by Fairtrade Fortnight 2009.
Fairtrade Promotions.
We are starting small…and as we grow we will become more ambitious!
- Pampered Chef evening using Fairtrade ingredients where
possible. 25thFeb
25th Feb 2008 at Cirencester Ashcroft Church starting
7.30pm.
Tickets (£1 each to cover ingredient costs) available from Tourist
Information office or Mike (01793 750 993) . Fairtrade drinks will be
available, and sample what has been made.
- Book Signing at Waterstone’s Saturday morning 8th March.
Hot off the press…. ‘The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook’ has just
been released. Celebrity chef, Sophie Grigson, and her panel of judges have
selected 150 recipes that make up this mouth-watering cookery book. What makes it extra special is
that Kemble’s columnist for Wilts and Glos. Standard - Pat Ayres’
recipe “Chocolate Drop Cookies” is in it!!
Pat will be promoting this Dorling Kindersley cookbook at Waterstone’s and would be happy to
sign it for you!! (She may even bring along some samples to taste….)
Both these events take place during the nationally recognised Fairtrade
Fortnight.
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