About Us

What is Fairtrade

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Fairtrade shows that trade can be a means out of poverty if the conditions are right. Seven million disadvantaged producers, workers and their families are benefiting from Fairtrade, but they and millions more still remain at the mercy of unfair international trade rules. That’s why we need to do more than buy Fairtrade products – we also need to campaign for trade justice.

The fact that Fairtrade has allowed producers to transform their lives, also shows that the current system of trade is not working.

Fairtrade goods are either: – Consumables that bear the Fairtrade logo
– Other arts and craft goods that have been fairly traded and are usually available from for example, Oxfam shops, Traidcraft represetatives or other reputable fairtrade retailers.

Fairtrade Fortnight is celebrated in each year during February/March.

The Fairtrade Foundation

The Fairtrade Foundation exists to ensure a better deal for marginalised and disadvantaged third world producers. Set up by CAFOD, Christian Aid, New Consumer, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the World Deveolpment Movement . The Foundation awards a consumer label, the Fairtrade Mark, to products which meet internationally recognised standards of fair trade. The Fairtrade mark is an indendent label which appears on products as an iindependent guarentee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a fair deal.The founding organisations were later joined by Britain’s largest women’s organisation, the Women’s Institute. Fairtrade makes a real difference to people’s lives:
It challenges the conventional model of trade, and offers a progressive alternative for a sustainable future.
It empowers consumers to take responsibility for the role they play when they buy products from the third world – results of recent surveys suggest the majority of people would prefer to buy Fairtrade Mark products.

Fairtrade in Oldham Action Group

Community organisations, faith groups, businesses, schools, retailers and individuals all contribute by pledging to do what they can to support Fairtrade and promote the Fairtrade Mark. In maintaing Fairtrade status user groups, the local authority and businesses and retailers have a common goal and a shared achievement. it is a lot of work, good fun and a great way to bring people together. It will also be an achievement everyone can celebrate and a powerful message about how your community wants trade to work. Our group comprises of representives from Oldham MBC, faith groups, schools and community organisations. Contact us by email at fairtradeinoldham@gmail.com or 0776 314 7676

History

In April 2000, Garstang in Lancashire declared itself ‘the Worlds first Fairtrade Town’. The campaign caught the imagination of local people, the interest of politicians, and made headlines across the North West. Most importantly, the campaign in Garstang inspired towns, cities, boroughs, villages, islands, counties and zones across the country to make a collective commitment to Fairtrade and work towards Fairtrade status for their community.

There are now over 300 Fairtrade Towns as well as more than 200 areas campaigning towards status. The phenomenon has not stopped at the border. There are now Fairtrade Town campaigns in 15 countries around the world and all of these have been inspired by the example in the UK.