What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
What Can Communities Do About It?
Falkirk Council and its communities have been promoting Fairtrade since the mid 1980s. The Falkirk Fairtrade Steering Group was been meeting since 2002. The group is made up of members from local church groups, local businesses, community volunteers, Council officers and education establishments. It works to raise awareness of Fairtrade, supporting local groups and businesses that want to become more involved.
Falkirk Council's Commitment
Falkirk Council supports the Fairtrade movement by doing the following:
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Promoting awareness of Fairtrade products to employees, communities and businesses
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Using Fairtrade goods, when catering for Council meetings and functions wherever possible;
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Using Fairtrade goods at all other opportunities, including office catering, vending machines and public outlets, wherever possible
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Supporting the Falkirk Fairtrade Working Group in its work towards [retaining] Fairtrade status for the
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Falkirk Council area and appointing a Council representative to the Fairtrade Steering Group
Timeline of Development
1986 – Local church groups start promoting Fairtrade
2002 – Local Fairtrade group begins
2004 – Falkirk Council adopts Fairtrade policy
2005 – Falkirk Fairtrade Steering Group formally established
2006 – Falkirk town attains Fairtrade status
2008 – Falkirk Council area attains Fairtrade Zone status
2010 – Kinnaird Primary School becomes 1st Fairtrade school in the area
2010 – Bowhouse Primary School becomes 2nd Fairtrade school in the area
2010 – St Mungo's High School becomes 1st Fairtrade secondary school in the area
2011 – Forth Valley College becomes Scotland's 1st Fairtrade college
What Next?
Towns and villages throughout the Council area are being encouraged to establish their own local groups. A Fairtrade group in Denny is working on Fairtrade status for their town. At least 10 schools in the area are also working towards Fairtrade status. In 2011, the Steering Group hopes to contact all cafes/hot food outlets to ensure strong coverage throughout the area.
For further information, contact the Falkirk Fairtrade Group on
Email: fairtradefalkirk@yahoo.co.uk|
Chair: Terri Paterson
Secretary: Sandra Burt
Phone number – 01324 504712