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Brighton could lose Fairtrade status (From The Argus)
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Brighton could lose Fairtrade status
11:00am Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Fears have been raised a city could be stripped of its Fairtrade status after it was revealed its council had stopped stocking ethical teas and coffees.
Brighton and Hove City Council came under fire yesterday from councillors who accused it of setting the wrong example to businesses and residents.
The city was among the first in Britain to earn Fairtrade status five years ago when the council signed up to support the campaign and convinced a number of companies to follow suit.
It began stocking teas and coffees endorsed by the Fairtrade Foundation, meaning they were being produced in conditions fair to plantation workers in developing countries.
It has now emerged that those products have not been available in the council's canteens and at its meetings.
Councillor Rachel Fryer, who has raised the issue, said she had been told they had been dropped in a cost-cutting measure.
The Fairtrade Foundation yesterday confirmed it would review the city's Fairtrade status if the council had pulled out.
Coun Fryer said: "What makes this truly shocking is that the council should be leading the way in this city in promoting the importance of Fairtrade."
The council yesterday denied it had stopped stocking Fairtrade teas and coffees but admitted they had not had any in stock recently.
A council spokesman said: "We support and promote Fairtrade where possible and strive to ensure that all tea and coffee served on council premises and council canteens meets that standard.
“All tea and coffee served at council meetings in Kings House and Brighton town hall is Fairtrade where possible. However, like other caterers we are subject to the ability of our suppliers to provide the products."
Fairtrade Foundation campaign manager Hannah Reid said if the council did stop stocking items it would be the first town or city in the country to have its status taken away.
Ms Reid said: "It would be very disappointing. We don't want to see it happen though and would like to work with the council if it is having problems."
More than 100 businesses in the city now sell Fairtrade goods.
Yesterday some said they would not be put off by the council dropping out of the scheme.
Joshua Lyons, the manager of the Earth and Stars pub in Windsor Street, which sells Fairtrade teas, coffees and wines, said: "I'm going to continue doing what I think is right. If they don't want to continue that's their decision. I think it's important to give people the choice but others have different priorities."
There are 426 towns and cities with Fairtrade status. Each has to apply for the accreditation and then renew it every two years.
Among them are several in Sussex, including Arundel, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Lewes, Uckfield, Seaford and Worthing.
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Your Say YourArgus
salty_pete, Saltdean says...
12:16pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Mary Hinge, Brighton says...
12:28pm Tue 23 Jun 09
salty_pete wrote:Hear hear
What is more important, value for money or politically correct sourced products? In times of reduced finances I would suggest the former.
Typical bloody greens.
Imagine what it will be like if they ever end up in power... council tax through the roof just to supply organic fairtrade croissants at council meetings
censored, Brighton says...
12:29pm Tue 23 Jun 09
salty_pete wrote:Which would be relevant if there was actually much of a price difference. There isn't.
What is more important, value for money or politically correct sourced products? In times of reduced finances I would suggest the former.
ASDA own brand fairtrade teabage, £1.58 per 250g
Non-Fairtrade own brand, £2.65 for 500g.
(Both prices just checked at ASDA online)
Dufus, Brighton says...
12:42pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Tye, Brighton says...
12:43pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Man With No Name, Brighton says...
12:52pm Tue 23 Jun 09
salty_pete wrote:Value for whose money, thats what fair trade is all about, the people producing it getting the correct value for their produce!? Last time I checked the economic problems were not limited to this country, the whole idea of fair trade is to give farmers in much poorer countries than our own a fair price for their work, and if that means we pay a few pence more in this country I think its as good idea. I think we have much bigger problems relating to value for money to worry about in this country... banks/mp's/benefit thrives - what is more important?
What is more important, value for money or politically correct sourced products? In times of reduced finances I would suggest the former.
Dufus, Brighton says...
12:56pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Man With No Name wrote:whats more important? a nice cup of fairtrade tea is vital, otherwise how can the highly efficient staff of our local council operate correctly??!! they woudl die of thirst. PS do Council workers get free tea as part of their contract of employment?
salty_pete wrote: What is more important, value for money or politically correct sourced products? In times of reduced finances I would suggest the former.Value for whose money, thats what fair trade is all about, the people producing it getting the correct value for their produce!? Last time I checked the economic problems were not limited to this country, the whole idea of fair trade is to give farmers in much poorer countries than our own a fair price for their work, and if that means we pay a few pence more in this country I think its as good idea. I think we have much bigger problems relating to value for money to worry about in this country... banks/mp's/benefit thrives - what is more important?
jonathon, Brighton says...
1:44pm Tue 23 Jun 09
KennyKoala, Brighton says...
2:02pm Tue 23 Jun 09
If we think it's a good idea to give council employees free drinks, then fine, let's go for the best value, whatever that is.
If we want council staff to pay for it, give them a choice of fair trade or other.
I like the feel-goof factor of buying free trade goods but then I'm spending my own money.
I don't want my council to feel good on my behalf with my money - unless the cost is the same, in which case the feel-good factor is a cost-free bonus.
Granny, Brighton says...
2:29pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Cherry Pie, Brighton says...
3:43pm Tue 23 Jun 09
jonathon wrote:You really need to get out more - third world country my ar$e. Get some perspective and think before you speak.
Can we for once think about of our people. This country is in a dreadful state thanks to this Labour Government.This country will soon be classed as a third world country. Lets help our people and businesses.
As for the council - yes they should support fair trade and I'm very, very disappointed that they don't or haven't been as consistent as they should be.
kkj, Brighton says...
7:02pm Tue 23 Jun 09
censored wrote:Actually pete, this makes the fairtrade tea bags 20% more expensive; if the council tax went up 20% would you say that there isn't much of a difference?
salty_pete wrote:Which would be relevant if there was actually much of a price difference. There isn't.
What is more important, value for money or politically correct sourced products? In times of reduced finances I would suggest the former.
ASDA own brand fairtrade teabage, £1.58 per 250g
Non-Fairtrade own brand, £2.65 for 500g.
(Both prices just checked at ASDA online)
John Steed, worthing says...
7:02pm Tue 23 Jun 09
the producers earn more, the buyers pay more, the middle men still earn a hansom profit this reminds me of the Bernie Ecclestone business model, in a recession put up prices (Brawn team hats, silverstone 2009 £25.00)
kkj, Brighton says...
7:04pm Tue 23 Jun 09
kkj wrote:make that
censored wrote:Actually pete, this makes the fairtrade tea bags 20% more expensive; if the council tax went up 20% would you say that there isn't much of a difference?
salty_pete wrote:Which would be relevant if there was actually much of a price difference. There isn't.
What is more important, value for money or politically correct sourced products? In times of reduced finances I would suggest the former.
ASDA own brand fairtrade teabage, £1.58 per 250g
Non-Fairtrade own brand, £2.65 for 500g.
(Both prices just checked at ASDA online)
Actually censored etc.
With apologies to salty_pete
TheInsider, Brighton says...
8:00pm Tue 23 Jun 09
I was disappointed and it was Unfair Trade.
I choose Gap now.
twosugars, seaford says...
12:21am Wed 24 Jun 09
Dufus wrote:make them use Izal paper!
I want to know whether the toilet roll at council offices is fair trade or not??
Tye, Brighton says...
7:27am Wed 24 Jun 09
jonathon wrote:soory didn't realise your kids died due to lack of medication, no clean water or food
Can we for once think about of our people. This country is in a dreadful state thanks to this Labour Government.This country will soon be classed as a third world country. Lets help our people and businesses.
what a silly immature tory boy thing to say
purple lady, Brighton says...
10:41am Wed 24 Jun 09
To suddenly drop these products is ill advised and short sighted. And whether we're having rough times or not at this moment in this country (and I'm all behind local trading to support a sustainable UK society), we are actually quite lucky where we live, with clean water, free health care - and this is a lot more than many of the world's coffee suppliers - as a commodity group that have been treated very badly for years. In addition, the fair trade mark also ensures the sustainable production of coffee and tea, ensuring that you'll all be able to have your morning latte for years to come.
Auld School, Brighton says...
10:34pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Whilst I won't bore you with all the evident stats or quotes from the OECD, consider that in May 09 the Govt borrowed 19.9bn. More than was borrowed in the whole of 2007.
So, those that think that the UK is rich should hope that we can (a) continue to raise money via HM debt instruments and (b) pay it back.
The evidence would indicate that we will fail in (a) and (b) if there is no turn-a-round in the UK economy. Darling indicated the economy would grow 3.5% in 2010.
If there is no turn-a-round we are off to the IMF and then we are in the mix with the 3rd world nations.......so not fantasy. Let's hope we will get aid from the nuclear powers like India and Pakistan.
AmraNag, says...
12:05pm Thu 25 Jun 09
yorkie44, Woodingdean says...
6:07pm Thu 25 Jun 09
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Wiggsy, Hove says...
12:16pm Tue 23 Jun 09
If that answer is to be believed, then surely changing suppliers is the answer should the current one not be able to source Fairtade beverages.