The Kintyre Forum

Hi,

The Fairtrade Steering Group has applied for Kintyre to become a Fairtrade Zone. The groups has been asked for a bit more info from the Fairtrade Foundation about who sells and uses Fairtrade products in Kintyre. Can you help out by letting me know what Fairtrade products you use in your workplace / business, or what Fairtrade products you sell? Or if you have bought Fairtrade products in Kintyre?

Cheers

I`m not in Kintyre, but my daughter has bought quite a few Fair Trade clothing items online and been very satisfied with them.

There is now a facebook page called Fairtrade Kintyre https://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=167519293312853&sk=apps#!/pages/Kintyre-Fairtrade/167519293312853. If you are using Fairtrade products as a group, organisation or business, or if you are holding a Fairtrade promoting event please post info, links, and photos on the page.

There are a lot of people out there who would rather spend their money in places that sell or use Fairtrade items. Let them know what you do and where you are in Kintyre.

If you want to join the steering group get in touch.

D.H wrote:There is now a facebook page called Fairtrade Kintyre https://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=167519293312853&sk=apps#!/pages/Kintyre-Fairtrade/167519293312853. If you are using Fairtrade products as a group, organisation or business, or if you are holding a Fairtrade promoting event please post info, links, and photos on the page.

I assume the group will continue to highlight these events, links and photos on here too as it is quite easy to miss this on Facebook?

[quote="D.H"]There are a lot of people out there who would rather spend their money in places that sell or use Fairtrade items. Let them know what you do and where you are in Kintyre.

If you want to join the steering group get in touch.[quote="D.H"]

It might be worth giving some information on what FairTrade is? There's sometimes a bit of an assumption that people know? I'd certainly like to know more about it.

PS - Mon' the Co-op!

You can find out everything that you need to know about Fairtrade at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

My take on it is that if someone labours to produce raw materials or a product they should be paid a decent amount for their efforts. The current trading systems generally benefit bigger corporations at the expense of the producers, with many workers being treated no better than slaves.

Most people in poorer parts of the world don't want charity, they want to be supported to take control of their lives to better their lives, the lives of their family, and for their community. No different to any of us. Producers are guaranteed a minimum price which means that they are not at the mercy of the stock marketeers who bet on prices, changing their value. It benefits the environment because if you live somewhere where you work it is unlikely that you will pollute the drinking water or spray vicious chemicals on yourself, your friends and family. It benefits the community as it means that producers can commit money to community facilities, as well as be able to send their children to school and get healthcare for the family. Quite basic things that we all take for granted. More can be read about the mechanics of this at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/what_is_fairtrade/fairtrade_is_unique.aspx .

If you want to see an example of the production of non fairly traded bananas you could look no further that Jan Nimmo's excellent film 'Bonita: Ugly Bananas' http://vimeo.com/jannimmo/videos which shows the aggressive management style and the shocking working conditions of banana growers.

Get in touch if you can help.

Fairtrade Fortnight is again coming around and I wonder if you are planning any activities to mark it? It would help the local steering group to know what you are up to. fairtradekintyre@hotmail.co.uk

The local Fairtrade Group now has a Facebook page which we would encourage people to join and add their Fairtrade activities or advertise your group / business if you use Fairtrade products. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kintyre-Fairtrade/167519293312853

The Fairtrade Foundation has a short new campaign video 'Take a Step' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J60mvcp_Q_E which shows how small steps make great change for people in other parts of the world.