What impact has Fairtrade had on the way international trade takes place?
Fairtrade labelling has been around for 21 years. Now there are 21 countries with organisations supporting the label and a few eastern European countries with satellite offices. More than 6,000 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark, globally. Direct impact includes social investments (out of the social premiums paid to the beneficiaries) on Fairtrade farms, improved labour conditions and better environmental management. Indirect impact includes that poor labour conditions and unfair trading conditions are put on the agenda of small and large companies, governments and NGOs. Fairtrade also triggered the establishment of other ethical programmes with similar aims: to protect workers and small producers.
