Fair trade and development
Auteur: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee
Nombre de pages: 47 pages
ISBN: 0215034538, 9780215034533
Edition: The Stationery Office
Date de publication: The Stationery Office
Description: Fair trade has been recognised by the European Parliament as a key tool for development as it helps poor producers capture more of the gains from their produce and trade their way out of poverty. In the UK there has been increasing demand for fair trade products, and this has had an impact in raising levels of corporate social responsibility. However there is still a backdrop of fierce price competition and reports of low wages and poor working conditions for producers. This report examines the current state of fair trade as an aid to development. The subjects covered include: fair trade as a thriving and growing enterprise; the UK Government's approach; the impact of fair trade; challenges and limits of fair trade; and the role of donors. It concludes that fair trade has made enormous progress but there is still more room to grow. It could for example lay down standards for garment manufacture, and more consciously target the very poor. The Government has declared support for fair trade but it needs to reassess how to best advance the objectives.