Supporting Fair Trade Versus Local
During a Recession is Buying Abroad Still a Good Idea?
Apr 16, 2009
Who to support: Fair trade or local? The question has become a moral challenge.
There has been increasing attention over the issue. Consumers are faced with some doubt over whether to continue supporting Fair trade and what impact their choices may have closer to home...
So what are these doubts? And are they warranted concerns?
Fair Trade Basics
Since it first emerged as an alternative method of trading, after the Second World War, the Fair Trade initiative has been extolled for providing positive and sustainable trade solutions for workers in developing nations.
It empowers people not only by giving them an equitable price for their products, but also allowing them more control and better options over how they make their living. It also protects workers rights and ensures no bonded child labor is used.
But is fair trade always the best option?
Concerns over Fair Trade
The effects of job lay-offs as a result of the economic crisis combined with ongoing environmental issues has some consumers questioning the value of fair trade.
The Economics of Fair Trade in the UK
The Fairtrade Foundation says the UK has an estimated fair trade retail value of £493 million. This places it second, behind the US, on the world's fair trade market.
According to a report released by the Fairtrade Foundation, If Fair trade consumers in the UK reduce their spending it will affect nearly one and a half million agriculturalists and horticulturalists in Africa.
Seventy-percent of the population in rural Africa live and work off the land. The majority of workers produce food items that cannot even be grown locally in the UK. Such products include coffee, tea, honey, sugar, cocoa, cotton and bananas.
Are we ready to stop buying many of these staple raw ingredients in support of only homegrown foods?
On a practical level this would greatly reduce our food options.
Concerns over the Environmental Costs of Fair Trade
On the environmental front, public concern over the carbon impact of transporting goods internationally can be abated by findings revealed in the same report.
The research indicates the majority of Fair trade products brought into the UK come by sea. When goods are transported by ship their total carbon and greenhouse gas emissions amounts to less than 0.5%.
For those products brought in by plane (such as fruit, vegetables and flowers) the environmental impact is less than 0.1% of all UK carbon emissions.
Compare these results to the 85% of food mile emissions needed to transport UK products around the region, or the estimated 7% of greenhouse gases produced by local farmers.
From an environmental standpoint, Fair trade is still the obvious choice.
Weighing the (Real) Fair Trade Issues
While it is always necessary to encourage local merchants and producers, it cannot be at the expense of Fair trade workers.
Consumers worried about the socio-economic and environmental value of their purchasing power must carefully weigh the real consequences of their actions.
What are the long-term consequences on a global level?
Global Challenges Hit Hardest in the Developing World
The challenges posed by economic and environmental problems are taking a much deeper toll on the developing world.
Workers in regions such as Africa are among the least responsible, and yet they are also the most susceptible to decreased monetary support and the escalating consequences of climate change.
The lack of reliable or effective government and social support means the economic and environmental challenges in these regions put their livelihoods at great peril.
The Complimentary Strategies of Fair Trade and Local
The best option is perhaps not an either/or approach to Fair trade versus local, but rather a complimentary strategy.
A commitment to support both local and Fair trade means consumers buy what they need, from where it is naturally grown.
This keeps in mind the economic, environmental and ethical concerns. It also helps ensure all workers get a fair and equal chance to earn a living- wherever they might live.
 |
 |
