Action Briefing Feb 2003 - Mar 2004
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Absolutely FABulous: Fairtrade Association Birmingham

If Birmingham achieves Fairtrade City status it will be the largest local authority in Europe to be awarded the distinction so far. We might not be the European Capital of Culture, but we can still be the Fairtrade Capital of Europe!

Fairtrade Association Birmingham (FAB) is a new steering group committee whose aim is to get Birmingham certified as a Fairtrade City this year. Chaired by John Boyle of Midlands Co-op, FAB will be working with Oxfam, Birmingham City Council's sustainability team, Birmingham University's Ethical Trade Society and People and Planet group, the Women's Environmental Network, as well as several Christian organizations and dioceses. Birmingham Friends of the Earth will be in on the action too.

In order to achieve the Fairtrade City status, Birmingham must meet the Fairtrade Foundation's five requirements:

1. Local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agree to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens;
   
2. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in at least 100 shops and 50 cafés;
   
3. Fairtrade products must be used in several workplaces and community organisations;
   
4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign;
   
5. A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade status.
   

The Birmingham Fairtrade Challenge: How Birmingham will achieve Fairtrade City status
FAB will be officially launched on:

• Wednesday 18th February 2004
  
• Banqueting Suite, Council House, Victoria Sq.
  
• 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start

Councillors and the public will have an opportunity to learn about the benefits of becoming a Fairtrade City, both at home and in the Developing World. Speakers: international reggae artist Ben Okafor; John Boyle of Midlands Co-op; Bruce Crowder of Fairtrade Foundation; independent expert Maggie Jo St John; and Eliot Whittington of Oxfam.

How does Fairtrade work?
In the world today, of the 800 million people suffering from malnutrition 75% are farmers. One reason for this is that the gains of export and production have largely accrued to traders and middleman, but not to growers. For example, 15 years ago, coffee growers received US$14 billion of the US$30 billion world coffee market; today, of the US$70 billion coffee market, only 7-8% goes to the growers.

Fairtrade is an alternative way to relieve poverty in Developing World countries without compromising their culture, social institutions or natural environment. The producers who join a Fairtrade organisation range from the small family farm employing less than 20 people to the large co-operative with more than 200 workers.

Access
Fairtrade organisations enable farmers and growers to gain access to markets, both in the northern industrialised nations and in the southern Developing World countries, which they had in the past considered too complicated to enter. Training also is offered in, for example, the technical skills required to process a product as far as possible prior to export, thereby ensuring higher returns for the producers and making them more independent and successful in the global market. Fairtrade organisations also offer training in financial matters as well as information about trends in the northern markets, such as organic food and environmentally friendly textiles.

The most important aspect of the Fairtrade business is that the producer receives up to 50% of the price in advance, allowing them to escape from years of debt, dodgy money-lenders, and dishonest middlemen who usually don't pay the price agreed.

Obviously, the "fair" price, covers the growers' basic needs and costs of production, but on top of this they receive extra money for investment in local infrastructures such as schools and medical facilities, and for creating jobs in the local community.
Importantly, not all producers are accepted by Fairtrade organizations. The first criterion is that producers must have a sustainable attitude both towards the environment and society. Therefore, the working conditions of their employees are monitored, with a particular stress on the role of women. It is also extremely important that the export product does not take over the local production and undermine the local culture.

Equitable
In the Developed World, where we have lost the direct and personal contact we used to enjoy with the people who grow our food, Fairtrade is helping to restore a more equitable relationship between consumers and producers. At the moment you can buy Fairtrade coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, honey, bananas, oranges, apples, pineapples, mangoes, and recently, rice.

Not all the Fairtrade products are "certified organic", as satisfying the organic certification process can be difficult for some small farmers, even though they may not be using pesticides or fertilizers. However, by joining a Fairtrade association, even the smallest producer will receive the training and support they need to market their produce abroad.

Sara Forti