Fairtrade Vision

• Our Community will seek to advance the Fairtrade Vision of a world in which every person, through their work, can sustain their families and communities with dignity.
• We will seek to encourage Shops & Catering Outlets to stock/use Fairtrade products; and for Organisations and Individuals to use such products wherever possible.

Fairtrade is about producers receiving a Just and Fair Price for their labours.

If all individuals give support by buying some Fairtrade products, according to their budgets, then as a Community WE can improve the standard of living of the poorest producers.

Fairtrade Guarantees
The Fairtrade Mark guarantees:

• Producers receive a fair and stable price – if the world price falls below a fair price then the farmers will receive that price floor, e.g., in 2001, due to surge in supply of coffee, price fell to US$0.45 per lb against the minimum Fairtrade Price of US$1.21
• Producers and their Communities receive a social premium – which can be used for improving education, health, roads etc.
• Environmental respect – producers must dispose of waste responsibly, GM seeds are banned and crop diversification encouraged.
• Small farmers have a stronger position in world markets.
• A closer link between shopper and producer.

There are now over 2,000 Fairtrade Products, and sales have increased in 2005 by 40% to £195million.   In 2006, Fairtrade bananas made up 7.9% of UK market by value, while Fairtrade Roast & Ground Coffee accounted for 20% of that market.

Impact of Fairtrade
Currently more than 5 million people - farmers, workers and their families - in 58 developing countries benefit from Fairtrade.

Three sample quotes from producers are:
A Thai rice grower said “For the rice shoots we’re waiting for rain.  For our living, we’re waiting for Fairtrade”.

A tea plucker said “We have used the Fairtrade premium to get electricity for all workers’ houses – my children now study at night”

A coffee farmer said “Fairtrade gives us hope and courage. We earn a higher wage and better provide for our families”

A banana farmer said “Fairtrade has been the saviour of the farmers in Dominica – of agriculture and the whole economy.  With Fairtrade, small farmers have been transformed from marginalised farmers into businessmen.”

Fairtrade can also impact on us, by making us more aware of where our food comes from, how it is produced and the desire that those who produced it are not exploited.  

Thoughts on Fairtrade :

Bishopton Primary 6

• Lauren said, ”Fairtrade products are quite expensive but they are worth it, because we are so lucky to be able to afford lots of things that most Africans can’t.”
• Mathew said, “Fairtrade is good because farmers are paid a lot more.  The products cost more but taste better.”
• Jenny said, “Try Fairtrade food and visit the Rainbow Turtle shop in Paisley, which has clothes, food and lots more Fairtrade stuff.”

Bishopton Primary 7

• Nicola said “Fairtrade stuff tastes nicer because you know you are helping people”.
• Alessandro said, “People are getting the money their goods are actually worth”
• Jennifer said, “It’s called Fairtrade as it is fair trade”

Fairtrade Fortnight
During the Fairtrade Fortnight (26th Feb to 11th Mar) events are held to publicise the Fairtrade message and encourage people to use Fairtrade products.  The theme for 2007 is “Change Today – Choose Fairtrade”.

Bishopton supports Fairtrade:
Co-op  – Coffee, tea, wine, fruit, sugar, yoghurt, chocolate & cake
Costcutter – Coffee, tea, jams, and fruit juice
Woodrow’s  – Chocolate, Geoactive & Geobars
Post Office  – Chocolate, Geoactive & Geobars
… & Relax Coffee Shop  – Coffee, tea & sugar
Bishopton Village Nursery – Coffee & tea
Bishopton Scouts  – Coffee & tea in Scout Tent, Tea Tent & Camps
Fairtrade Parishes – Bishopton Parish Church & Our Lady of Lourdes
Education   – the local Primary Schools & High Schools support  

Fairtrade and pupils are learning about Fairtrade.

We have submitted an application to the Fairtrade Foundation for Bishopton to be designated a Fairtrade Village, the application process takes about 6 weeks and we should be advised of the result by the end of March, 2007.

Please read our website for more information about Fairtrade (incl. products available locally), local events, updates, and links!