The Diocese of Ely became a Fairtrade Diocese in 2009. This was achieved when over 50% of the parishes in the Diocese had applied for Fairtrade Status.
In 2009, the results of a global consumer study showed that shoppers increasingly expect companies to be more accountable and fair in dealing with producers in developing countries. Consumers are calling for a new model in trade in which justice and equity are integral parts of the transaction.
Many organisations, such as Traidcraft and Oxfam, supply Fairtrade products e.g. tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits at competitive prices. In addition, many small outlets as well as major supermarkets now stock them. Research shows that Fairtrade products are not normally more expensive and quite often cheaper than their non Fairtrade counterparts.
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The FAIRTRADE Mark means:
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a fair and stable price to farmers for their products |
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producers receive additional income to invest in their community |
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greater respect for the environment |
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a stronger position for small-scale farmers in world markets |
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a closer link between consumers and producers. |
In order to qualify as a Fairtrade Diocese, we needed to achieve 5 goals:
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support and promote Fairtrade, further encourage the use and sale of Fairtrade products and serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at diocesan meetings |
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ensure that half of the churches in the diocese have become Fairtrade Parishes |
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encourage parishes and deaneries to adopt a Fairtrade policy. As far as possible, display literature advertising the fact that Fairtrade products are used and served there |
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attract media coverage and continue raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark |
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set up a Fairtrade steering group to monitor that goals continue to be met and developed over
time. |
For more information on Fairtrade, click here .
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