Fairtrade

In this section you can find information about the Fairtrade Mark and what it means. Many people already purchase items which carry this mark.

Fairtrade Fortnight takes place between 22 February and 7 March 2010.

This is a nationwide campaign to promote Fairtrade and this year’s focus is all about the Big Swap.

For two weeks swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff.

The target is for one million and one swaps.

For more information about this year’s campaign please and to register your swap visit www.thebigswap.org.uk (opens in a new window) or see the poster in the related links section below.

Background to Fairtrade

Established in 1992, the Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organisation that licenses use of the Fairtrade Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.

A registered charity, the Fairtrade Foundation seeks to change trading strucutres and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged.

The Fairtrade Mark guarantees that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal.

Worldwide, consumers worldwide spent £1.6bn on Fairtrade certified products in 2007. This is a 47 per cent increase on the previous year directly benefiting over 7 million people - farmers, workers and their families in 58 developing countries.

Now there are over 4,500 products bearing the Fairtrade Mark from pineapples to footballs, duvets to rice.

For more information about the Fairtrade Foundation and the Fairtrade Mark visit www.fairtrade.org.uk (opens in a new window).