I need to begin here by explaining that I am not specifically referring to ‘Fairtrade’ certification, which clothed in the language of good intentions,[1] bears the hallmarks of a marketing ploy[2] that may do farmers and workers no good at all.[3] My point is deeper, that even with the best of intentions, fair trade cannot be realized. Read more
- [1]Mother Earth News, “What the Heck Does Fair Trade Certified Mean?” June/July, 2008, http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/fair-trade-certified-zmaz08jjzmcc.aspx↩
- [2]Dan Welch, “Fairtrade beans do not mean a cup of coffee is entirely ethical,” Guardian, February 28, 2011, http://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2011/feb/28/coffee-chains-ethical↩
- [3]University of London, “Research finds Fairtrade fails the poorest workers in Ethiopia and Uganda,” May 24, 2014, http://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem93228.html↩