Fairtrade

A couple of weeks ago the Institute of Economic Affairs issued a fairly negative paper on Fairtrade. One is tempted to say, "Well, it would, wouldn't it?"

The trouble is, Fairtrade isn't free trade, and that's what they don't like. Their line is that free trade in the long term is best for the developing world.

Like, I suppose, "free trade" in this country where our own farmers are shafted by large multi-national supermarkets.

In a free market, when the price of, say, coffee slumps on the world market, the 3rd world producers are left penniless. How does that benefit the growers? But Fairtrade promises not to pay less than a certain price, whatever the markets do.

I was surprised and heartened to read an article in the Money section of the weekend Guardian in response to the IEA paper. It was written by the editor of Money, Patrick Collinson, who has been to Tanzania and actually seen how Fairtrade has benefited the lives of people out there. He ends his article by saying:

Fairtrade is an easy target for people who, for reasons I can't fathom, want to attack "do-gooders". We should be proud of it. It is a global movement but one that is outstandingly successful in convincing British consumers to pay that bit more to help the less fortunate. These are do-gooders who have done good.

So, don't be put off by those who try to denigrate Fairtrade. Keep buying the tea, coffee and whatever else you can get hold of!

Go to www.guardian.co.uk/money and search for "Fairtrade" for Patrick Collinson's article. The article has a link to a report on the IEA website about its paper on Fairtrade.