Fair Trade focus urged
Issue Date: - Monday, 3 March 2008
West Australians are being urged to change their shopping habits to improve the lives of third-world producers.
Visiting fair trade campaigner Stephen Knapp says Labour Day is a fitting occasion for West Australians to consider how the prosperity they enjoy in their booming economy could benefit those less fortunate.
"While West Australians have a wonderful way of life and excellent working conditions, primary producers in many developing countries still struggle to survive, living and working in sub-standard conditions for very little pay," Mr Knapp said.
"Small changes in the choices West Australians make as consumers can have a huge impact on the lives of these people."
New-Zealand-based Mr Knapp is Executive Director of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand and is in Perth to address the 5th National Consumer Congress.
He says one change West Australians could make would be to look for products carrying the FAIRTRADE Label.
"The FAIRTRADE label, found on products such as coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa and chocolate, is a seal of approval given only to products that meet internationally agreed Fairtrade standards," he said.
Mr Knapp described the FAIRTRADE label as a guarantee to consumers that their purchase would benefit disadvantaged producers, their families and communities in the developing countries where these products originated.
"In choosing Fairtrade products we are also embracing sustainable consumption because products sold under the FAIRTRADE Label have passed a comprehensive third-party audit in order to be certified Fairtrade," he said.
"Environmental and sustainable production and labour practices are a key focus of these audits, along with a guaranteed fair price and premium for investment in community development. In this way consumers can support the long-term viability of these products and the communities that produce them"
"If enough of us change our shopping habits, struggling communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America can build classrooms, improve healthcare facilities and infrastructure, so they can get their produce to market, and develop secure and sustainable livelihoods for themselves and future generations."
In Australia, Fairtrade Certification and Labelling is administered by Fairtrade Labelling Australia and New Zealand, a not-for profit organisation that is a full member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International, the international umbrella body for Fairtrade Labelling and Certification.
The National Consumer Congress will be held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on Wednesday and Thursday (March 5 and 6) and is the main event on Australia’s consumer protection calendar.