FTAANZ - A better deal for developing country producers and communities

Media Release: Fairtrade Working for Producers and Consumers, 4/8/08

2008-08-09T11:32:49Z

Today Oxfam Australia and Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand responded to a factually inaccurate and misleading press release put out by the Institute of Public Affairs, a conservative think tank that is idealogically opposed to fair trade and seeks to promote free trade as the only solution to global poverty.

Both Oxfam and Fairtrade point out that the IPA's claim that the Australian Competition Consumer Commission (ACCC) reprimanded Oxfam for misleading consumers about fair trade is false and, in itself, wildly misleading. Oxfam and Fairtrade invite concerned parties to contact the ACCC directly on this matter.

The ‘No Sweat Shop’ label is now recruiting

2008-08-05T02:52:05Z

The joint union-industry body, the Homeworkers Code of Practice (HWCP) Committee, aims to end exploitation in Australia’s textile, clothing and footwear industry by encouraging retailers and manufacturers to sign and become accredited to a code of practice and by encouraging consumers to buy ethical Australian TCF products through its promotion of the ‘No Sweat Shop’ label.

The Committee is currently recruiting four positions:

• The HWCP Program Officers will provide information and assistance to companies wanting to participate, document supply chains, and assist with the public promotion of the ‘No Sweat Shop’ label. (Full time, 1 x in Melbourne, 1 x in Sydney)

• The Administrative Officer will be responsible for administration and maintenance of all data management systems as well providing support to the HWCP project team. (Full time, Melbourne.)

• The Finance Officer will be responsible for the organisation’s financial management and reporting. (Part time – 0.4, Melbourne)

Further information and full position descriptions can be
found online at:
http://www.nosweatshoplabel.com/news.asp

Submissions close Friday 8 August 2008

Growing Australia’s Fair Trade In Coffee - 17 July 2008

2008-08-03T12:03:51Z

MEDIA RELEASE

July 17th 2008

Growing Australia’s Fair Trade In Coffee

The volume of ethically sourced coffee imported into Australia will jump by more than 15% over the next year thanks to Wild Bean Café, one of the country’s key coffee retailers, Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand announced today.

An on-the-road café concept located at BP service stations, Wild Bean Café has decided to ensure that every coffee on its menu is made using 100% Fairtrade Certified coffee beans.

With more than 100 outlets across the country, this decision is a first for a national café retailer in Australia.

Background Briefing on Fair Trade vs Free Trade

2008-07-14T10:50:30Z

Free trade vs fair trade: It's an ideological battle between those who want a fairer, better deal for the poor farmers in the developing world - and those who say the best way to get that is having a world wide free market. There are fault lines in both arguments. Reporter Jane Shields

The program was broadcast Sunday 13th July at 09:00 AEST, on ABC Radio National. The audio can be downloaded or podcast and a few days after the broadcast a transcript will be posted on the website at

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/

New Tunes Support Fair Trade

2008-07-14T10:48:24Z

Melbourne indie rock band Ancient Free Gardeners announce their support for fair trade with the release of their single 'Innards Out'. The song, a sneak preview from the bands upcoming full length debut, presents a curious, critical gaze at the ever growing trend of consumer capitolism. In their personal and professional lives the band have witnessed the ill consequences of globalisation, and the mass producing, advertising supported society it promotes. Their support for fair trade, and the release of Innards Out, is an apt expression of this experience.

Innards Out was recorded independently, and is released under a Creative Commons licence; it's free to all, to use however they like, with no restrictions (except commercial use), in line with some of the underpinning principles of fair trade.

Learn more about their music and their latest release here.

Fairtrade Coffee In Uganda - Watch a short video

2008-06-23T02:19:05Z

Check out this short film about the Gumutindo Coffee Enterprise and learn more about coffee farmers in Uganda, the benefits of Fairtrade, and how you can get involved. See the people you are helping when
you buy your next cup of Fairtrade coffee!

Click here.

Bali Artisans Handicraft Expo for Fair Trade

2008-03-14T05:49:35Z

Start:
Friday, April 18, 2008 - 12:00

Over 20 local Balinese artisans will be showcasing their wares in this event hosted by the Wahana Kria Putri Foundation.

Kalimantan Restaurant, Jalan Pantai Sindhu 11, Sanur, Bali

www.baliartisans.net

The Darker Side of Chocolate: Channel 9's Sunday Program 9 March 2008

2008-03-19T12:13:26Z

The Sunday Program on Australia's Channel 9 aired a story "The Darker Side of Chocolate"on Sunday 9 March in the lead up to Easter.

The almost 10 minute piece explores child slavery and trafficking in the cocoa industry in Ivory Coast and Ghana and features interviews with Tim Costello from World Vision Australia and a representative of the Confectionary Manufacturer's.

FLO International Adjusts Fairtrade Minimum Prices for Arabica Coffee to Cover Costs of Sustainable Production

2008-02-24T11:04:25Z

Fairtrade continues to address the needs of coffee producing communities

Fairtrade Minimum Prices for Arabica coffee will be adjusted upwards to ensure Small Farmers’ Organisations continue to receive a price which covers the costs of sustainable production.

From 1 June 2008 all Fairtrade Certified coffee producers will receive at least 125 USD cents per pound for Fairtrade certified washed Arabica and 120 USD cents for unwashed Arabica, or the market price, if higher. This represents an average increase of 5 USD cents per pound. For Fairtrade Certified organic coffee an extra minimum differential of 20 cents is being applied. Additionally, all producers will continue to receive a Fairtrade Premium of 10 cents per pound for investment in community and business improvements. These new Fairtrade Minimum Prices will be valid through at least June 2010, when another price review may take place.

Fair Trade Fortnight 3-18 May 2008

2008-07-10T05:31:00Z

Start:
Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 00:01

End:
Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 23:59

Fair Trade Fortnight 3-18 May 2008

Visit the FTF08 website at www.fairtrade.com.au/ftf08

Fair Trade Fortnight Workshop, NSW

2008-01-30T11:47:52Z

Start:
Thursday, February 7, 2008 - 14:00

End:
Thursday, February 7, 2008 - 17:00

Thursday 7th February 2:00 – 5:00PM Fair Trade Fortnight 2008 Workshop

Fair Trade Fortnight (3-18 May 2008) is Australia’s premier event for promotion of fair trade, and features carnivals, festivals, film and music nights, competitions, exhibitions, market stalls and much much more. It’s a great opportunity to host an event in your church, school, retail outlet, workplace, club, charity or just with your family and friends to tell people about fair trade, and how easy it is to make a positive difference in the lives of disadvantaged producers simply by choosing to buy fair trade products.

Understanding Globalisation: A Short Course, March 17 - May 19, Melbourne

2008-02-19T09:59:03Z

Start:
Monday, March 17, 2008 - 21:00

End:
Monday, May 19, 2008 - 21:00

Global Trade Watch ( http://www.tradewatch.org.au ) would like to announce an exciting new short course for people interested to learn more about globalisation, global economics and their impacts on people and the environment.

Annual Report

2008-01-15T04:47:38Z

FTAANZ / FLANZ Annual Report Download Page

2006/07 Annual Report (1.1MB pdf)

Black Gold DVD Now Available

2008-01-31T12:01:29Z

Black Gold

Wake up and smell the coffee

Multinational coffee companies now rule our shopping malls and supermarkets and dominate the industry worth over $80 billion, making coffee the most valuable trading commodity in the world after oil. But while we continue to pay for our lattes and cappuccinos, the price paid to coffee farmers remains so low that many have been forced to abandon their coffee fields.

Nowhere is this paradox more evident than in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Tadesse Meskela is one man on a mission to save his 74,000 struggling coffee farmers from bankruptcy. As his farmers strive to harvest some of the highest quality coffee beans on the international market, Tadesse travels the world in an attempt to find buyers willing to pay a fair price.

Against the backdrop of Tadesse's journey to London and Seattle, the enormous power of the multinational players that dominate the world's coffee trade becomes apparent. New York commodity traders, the international coffee exchanges, and the double dealings of trade ministers at the World Trade Organisation reveal the many challenges Tadesse faces in his quest for a long term solution for his farmers.

Black Gold is now available in Australia on DVD through New Internationalist and in New Zealand through Trade Aid. Bulk copies are also available through the Black Gold website.

A Business Case for Poverty Relief?

2007-04-29T10:59:17Z

The newly formed Business for Poverty Relief Alliance released in late April 2007 a report making the business case for private sector participation in poverty relief efforts.

See details of the report, and download it, here.

Learn more about the Business for Poverty Relief Alliance here.

Fair trade is a proven way for private sector business to engage and invest in poverty relief and assist in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Business can participate in fair trade by:

looking at their own supply chain to ensure fair trade principles are being met
where possible, utilising Fairtrade certification to provide independent, third party verification of supply chain compliance with international fair trade standards
switching to fair trade products, such as Fairtrade certified coffee and tea, across their business