FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS AT MANUFACTURING .ES


   
    

Buying fair trade products helps close the gap between rich and manufacturing poor countries

With Christmas just around the corner, open the usual questions about the gifts we make to friends and family. One possibility, not always known, is to give fair trade products, ie products made by disadvantaged groups in developing countries and to reach stores in Europe and America without intermediaries and ensuring a fair price for producers enabling them to live in dignity. These products cover different sectors. From food (coffee, tea, sugar, chocolate, jams, nuts, etc..) To a wide range of gifts, made in a craft (jewelry, clothing accessories, stationery, toys, home decor ...) . Thus, consumers can purchase products and useful items with guaranteed quality, and time to help eliminate the differences between countries north and south.

The first Fair Trade shop opened in 1969 in Holland and from there spread to the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Sweden, Britain and Belgium. In 1990, after 10 years of informal cooperation, was born the European Fair Trade Association (EFTA or European Fair Trade Association). In Spain, this phenomenon is new and only after 1998 we can say that there are establishments where you can buy these products even though the trend has been positive. The latest data available are from 2002 and show a turnover of 5,911,000 euros. Spain now ranks eighth in import figures for fair trade products. Ahead of our country are France, Ireland and Sweden, among others.

The products in greatest demand are those of food, which account for 56% of sales, with coffee the star product. In countries like Belgium, 30% of all coffee consumed is imported by institutions dedicated to fair trade. Returning to our country, craft items account for 40% of sales, while books and other products occupy a marginal 4%. Buy Fair Trade products means to help workers in poor countries and their sustainable development. When we talk about fair trade food, the star product is coffee, followed by cocoa. Both products are in many countries the only source of income for their citizens and the exploitation of the territories involved even desertification and forest destruction. With fair trade actions that consumers get the Northern countries help the progress of developing countries, but following a series of conditions that ensure that resources reach those who really need it without over-exploitation of farmland.

In the case of handicrafts and textiles, which are the second level in demand from consumers in the north, make sure that, first, follow the trends of consumers, thanks to the interrelationship between producers and power marketing (NGOs and fair trade organizations). The sales took place through nearly 80 stores spread throughout Spain, with a total area of 1,645 square meters that are served by 382 volunteers and 38 staff employed. Moreover, these products are available through different websites and importers, even in traditional establishments to enable a part of your space for these products. Some large retail chains have also been recently implicated in the trade and offer these products on their shelves. The usual consumer profile of Fairtrade products is a woman between 28 and 60 years of age, average economic level and with some sensitivity to social issues. With this profile, the right products always have their equivalent in trade "normal", however prefer to choose fair trade products precisely because of its social involvement.

In order to expand their market and attract more customers from the various NGOs involved in fair trade is considering the location of the stores as a way to make it easier to access these products. Responsible for Fair Trade Shop Oxfam's goal is to locate stores and outlets around the nerve centers of trade in the cities for the purchase action is simple and does not constitute an over-exertion.

The effects in production areas of manufacturing

The producers of fair trade items are distributed by all the countries considered "Third World", and even some, like Mexico, where social differences are such that it is necessary to form such cooperatives to marginalized groups can develop. The effects caused by this trade are not limited to families who can work in these cooperatives, but affect the whole community. India is one of the countries most in Fair Trade cooperatives have been developed. According to data of 2000 in Tamil Nadu, 1,300,000 men and women working in approximately 500,000 handloom. Besides saris (for the local market), woven linen, blankets and other household textiles destined mainly for export. Two thirds of the weavers are organized into cooperatives belonging to the organization of second-degree semi Cooptex. The most important services are provided Cooptex provide cheap wireless, advise on the technical level of product and marketing. It also carries out housing programs, low-interest loan and repurchase of debt forcing the weavers to work for a particular employer.

A weaver who works full time Cooptex get 1000 rupees, or more than a factory worker. Some of the products selected cooperatives sold through fair trade organizations, thus creating new products, provide social benefits and gradually penetrate foreign markets. A multi-benefit trade. For those responsible for Fair Trade Shop Oxfam, the priority of institutions dedicated to fair trade, whether NGOs, associations or cooperatives, not financial gain. Although the product of the best known fair trade coffee, you can also purchase handicrafts, tapestries, books, board games ... The main objective of these initiatives is to improve the lifestyle of farmers, helping them to access markets, by paying a fair price for their work and continuity in their relationships that allow a real improvement in conditions lives of producers in the long term, allocating part of their benefit to improving the basic conditions of their own communities. This activity seeks ultimate goal that these producers can compete on equal terms in international markets, so the aid is not charity, but there are quality standards and certain compliance.

Fair trade also poses intended to encourage the most disadvantaged. According to figures provided by Oxfam, "65% of the world's poor are women, while only 52% of the population." Thus women suffer from double discrimination for their gender and their economic situation. Fair trade is promoted to this group, along with others, like the Indians, so they can out of their situation. It also seeks to end child labor, allowing younger generations spend their time in education. Another objective of this trade is to promote equality between men and women equal wages for equal work, promote participation, respect the environment and the production of quality products.  An open trade to all

The National Coordinator of Fair Trade is working to implement a Social Guarantee stamp, which will issue a separate entity, and may require all companies who wish to join the trade fair for what they have to fulfill the conditions imposed by that label . That is, any company in any sector, whether it meets the conditions of fair trade (fair wages to producers, elimination of child labor, gender equality, promotion of participatory and democratic societies, etc.) May request that an independent entity check this and give him that label. In this way, consumers will know which companies have a social responsibility aspect of the least advantaged. The main beneficiaries of the potential success of this initiative are the producers, who can access much broader markets. The stamp may also identify the source of each product and ensure that each of the components involved in a garment or craft item meets all the requirements. Thus, if a product involves more than a commodity, manufactured in different parts of the world, need to prove that each meets the criteria of fair trade to get the stamp.

Fair Trade Rules and manufacturing benefits:

* Reduction of the chain of intermediaries
* Paying a fair price. The purchase price is a function of the costs of raw materials, production and time and energy invested. Should allow the producer to reach a reasonable standard of living
* Decent working conditions
* No discrimination by sex, race, religion ...
* Condemnation of any form of child exploitation
* Long-term business relationships
* Prepayment of the goods (60%)
* Investment of profits in community development
* Environmentally friendly
* Quality Products

Manufacturing: The best sellers of fair trade

Food is the most requested by consumers, while a decade ago were purchased plus crafts
Fair trade sales decreased in 2008, but the podium repeated best sellers. Like crafts and especially food products. The economic crisis appears to be the cause of this decline, along with the roof that sales reached in 2007. Therefore, we must promote this mode of exchange that benefits the South. The Committee of the Regions of the European Union adopted in early February, unanimously, an opinion in favor of fair trade. He called for a European strategy and action plan "favorable."

Fairtrade products have added value. Whoever buys them will not only become the owner of a unique product, produced by craftsmen (in the case of supplements), but it helps to promote fair trade relations. However, the crisis has also affected this mode of exchange and sales dropped by 2.9% in 2008. The report "Fair Trade in Spain 2009. Question of Gender ', by Setem and the State Coordinator of Fair Trade, so awake. Favorite Products repeat: crafts and monopolize power sales. The first are original, not manufactured in series, and therein lies its main attraction. The latter also guarantee a friendly production environment. Maybe that's why each year more to surpass the previous. "Their relationship has been almost exactly reversed in the last decade," says the study. Now it sells about 56% of fair trade food and crafts 36.4%.

The basket is composed of fair trade, especially coffee, cocoa, sugar, processed products and manufacturing fair products basket. But how Shopping consists of buying fair trade? In particular, with coffee, cocoa and sugar products produced. With regard to handicrafts, are chosen above all accessories and decorative items, as well as home textile products (sales have increased sixfold since 2000), clothing and toys. All these products come from a total of 43 countries. The latest to join the list has been Haiti, Mozambique and Nigeria. The majority of foods are grown in Latin America (roasted coffee, sugar and processed), while the craft is rooted in Asian countries.

Origin and problems. Fairtrade Label Association-promotes Fairtrade mark guarantee for these products. This year repeats the Fairtrade Label Month campaign, which in 2009 achieved great success, with activities in the street and support from individuals, schools, organizations, businesses, municipalities or groups of volunteers. Its aim is to sensitize the population to promote this mode of exchange and the main products. The campaign points out that coffee was "the first to carry the Fairtrade mark." "The idea started when Frans van der Hof, a Dutchman resident missionary in Mexico, could prove the desperation of the coffee producers in Oaxaca. They sold their coffee to intermediaries at usurious prices," he explains. The origin of coffee is now divided between Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Cocoa is one of the most contentious food and sugar, a commodity more difficult to grow. With regard to cocoa, food is one of the most contentious because, according to the Association, "the difficulty of surviving in the cultivation of cocoa has generated an increase in child labor and even slavery." This happens in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo. The State Coordinator of Fair Trade ensures that in the West African cocoa is basic economics. "However, for every bar of chocolate that sells for $ 1.20, farmers receive the equivalent of 2 cents" he says. Sugar cane stands out as "one of the most difficult commodities to grow and harvest." The objective is to ensure appropriate "higher income for farmers" in developing countries and their access to international markets. As for textiles, it is intended, above all, that the cultivation of this material does not cause environmental disasters due to the use of insecticides.

Delicatessen manufacturers and Food Artisans

Food crafts is a recognized category in Spain and normatively regulated by the autonomous communities. Its value, between economic and cultural, has received special protection and care of the legislator. The rules say he can be 'artisan' food and under what conditions. The "food craft" offers consumers a wide range of individual products, generally of good quality and with different characteristics compared to other foods. The personal intervention of artisan food production, the prohibition of certain ways of producing or the limited use of additives, are the main hallmarks.

The autonomous communities have had to protect the artisans because of rampant technological change in the food industry Consumers, however, largely unknown in the existence of such products, which have not been, unless specific exceptions, promoted by the Communities Autonomous, which have exclusive jurisdiction in this matter. In addition, significant differences in their regulation by regional administrations that have proceeded to its regulation. And some of them, the pioneers in this field, have legislation tested more than three decades and the results have been nothing satisfactory as to the authorized number of artisans and craft enterprises registered food. Others, those with a greater number of food crafts, have adapted their legislation to the new times, requiring a control system that ensures the products received, and creating the brand "food artisans."

The need to adequately protect these products against the so-called industrial production has led to certain sectors and administrations to qualify, so erroneous and misleading to the consumer that the products are "healthy and natural," when by law , all are. An approach to the essential features of these products and what's behind them now will help us know better. The craft, tradition and history. Although we are in the XXI century, food produced by craftsmen still exist. Obviously, the situation is not like a couple of centuries ago, when every town had the most varied artisans (bakers, confectioners, cheese makers, butchers, cider, etc.), and their products were mainly consumed by its inhabitants. The industrialization process in the food sector represented and still represents a threat to the artisans, which required specific actions by public authorities to prevent their disappearance, costs and competitiveness.

Protecting food crafts not recent. In 1968, the state ordered for the first time the sector and set a first directory of crafts, creating a specific record a year later and establishing a Plan of Development of Crafts in 1976. Currently, the regulation and protection of traditional food sector is in the hands of the Autonomous Communities, which have exclusive jurisdiction over the matter. The food situation in our country craft is far less homogeneous. The fact that its regulation is exclusively in the hands of the Autonomous Communities determines that all the craftsmen and their products are subject to the same requirements and administrative controls are identical, although there are some similarities.

Catalonia was one of the pioneers, by regulating specifically in 1986, apart from the general rule, food crafts. Since then, other communities have seen the need to legislate to protect a threatened by the rapid economic and technological development of the productive sector. No shortage of reasons: the "food artisans" are considered as an important part of heritage, and therefore the public authorities, and even from the private sector itself, it has been decided, more or less successfully, to protect their traditional ways stimulate production and maintenance. The region of Navarre went further, and starting a business initiative, created in 2000 marked "Food Artisans," which as a distinctive sign is included in the labeling of food products that are manufactured by companies registered as artisans in the Government of Navarra. These products, in addition to complying with technical and health standards that should apply to other products, must comply with Technical Standard Artisan for the product or group of products dealt with, and overcome the controls of a public company the ICAN (Institute of Food Quality of Navarra).

The legal status of artisan and manufacturer. Not all engaged in a trade related to food in a small production staff and have access to the recognition of a craftsman. From the outset, each of the regulations of the Autonomous Communities on the subject define specific trades craft own food. The list offered by each and every one of the regional legislation is not uniform, since it is dependent artisan tradition of each one of the areas where activities are carried out as part of their culture.

Access to artisan status is not automatic, it always requires a prior recognition by the authorities, as a letter or authorization, which is also limited in time and must be renewed every so often. In some cases, also requires the applicant managing the accreditation of a minimum experience in office and the completion of a course (theory and practice) related to the subject. Moreover, for those who meet certain merits of creativity and knowledge in the field of food crafts created in some communities, a higher degree, the "Master Craftsman Food", which as a recognition of exceptional expertise, has which is valid indefinitely.

ENTERPRISE FEATURES CRAFTSMAN AND MANUFACTURER

The need for processes of preparing food is predominantly manual, though with the permission of some degree of mechanization of partial operations, has not prevented access timid food craft certain family businesses, very numerous in the agrifood while under the precondition that the responsibility and personal leadership development process of food is effected by a skilled craftsman. The law considers, in general terms, as artisanal food companies, whose activities are those defined in the portfolio of food craft trades of each Autonomous Community itself and also meet several requirements:

* Implementation of the provisions in force in equipment, facilities, quality and sanitary conditions of products.
* Control to ensure the quality and sanitary conditions of products.
* Process manual work (although it is permissible degree of mechanization of partial operations, not in the selection of raw materials).
* Liability and address of the production process by a craftsman or master craftsman, taking part directly and personally in the execution of work.
* Family-type structure, while allowing the collaboration of a number of foreign workers (in some cases has been limited to 10, and in other cases, variable, depending on the volume of production).
* Use of additives: In some cases limited to the "suitable" for their particular processes and marketing channels (Catalan), and in other cases, "limited to those which are intended to simulate the original natural raw material, changing its color, texture, smell and taste, or contribute to an excessive length at the expense of values of the product "(Navarre).
* Order of January 24, 2001, the Department of Industry, Trade and Development, which provides for the publication of the Agreement on January 23, 2001, the Crafts Council of Aragon, and amending the Decree of 28 May 1990 Census provided the Trades and Craft Activities. (BOA 17/2001 of 09/02/2001)
* Decree 163/1986 of 26 May on food crafts (DOGC number 73, June 20, 1986). The definition of food artisan company is regulated by Order of November 2, 1987, the Charter Master Craftsman and Artisan Food Diet, by Order of September 16, 1987.
* Decree 150/1999 of June 1, the transfer of services and functions of the Generalitat of Catalonia was the General Council of Val d'Aran in the field of hydrological-forestry, wildlife, spaces included in the Plan of areas of interest natural extension of crafts and food transfers of forest exploitation, river fishing, motorized movement and prevention of forest fires. (DOGC 2906/1999 of 09.06.1999).
* Decree 218/2001 of 7 September, which consolidates the existing legislation in crafts (DOG number 185/2001, of September 24, 2001).
* Order of October 6, 2000, the Ministry of Finance and Economics from the approval of the portfolio of trades and crafts activities in relation to groups or creating arts and crafts, handicrafts consumer goods and traditional crafts or popular La Rioja, under Law 2 / 1994 of 24 May. (BOR 128/2000 of 14.10.2000).
* Regional Order of April 23, 2001, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, which actions are assigned to the "Food Quality Institute of Navarra, SA" crafts related to the food and changed the composition and functions of the Committee Craftsman. (BON number 66/2001 of May 30, 2001).