Discussion Group – January/February 2023
The Discussion Group met at the Manor House on Monday 9th January, and prompted by the fact that Dawlish is a Fair Trade town we talked about the Fair Trade movement. The u3a had had a talk about this back in 2019, but bearing in mind that some members memories are no longer what they were (the convenor being unsure what he’d had for breakfast) we thought we’d look at the subject with fresh and unprejudiced eyes.
The Fair Trade Towns International organisation sets out five goals for certificating communities, of which there are over 600 in the UK. They aim to ensure on the one hand that communities promote Fair Trade products, and on the other that the workers, farmers and cooperatives gain certification, avoid exploitation and get paid a sustainable and guaranteed price for their products. There are over 6000 Fair Trade items and along with the well known ones such as tea and coffee we were surprised to find wine and gold on the list. 2 million farmers in over 70 countries are said to benefit.
In principle we all agreed that the aim was admirable but had some reservations about how matters might be put into practice at both ends. It was probably fairly easy for a community in the first flush of enthusiasm to get support to gain certification. A local steering group should be in place to ensure continuing compliance, but how effective this might be was queried.
Margaret spoke eloquently of her personal experiences in Columbia of meeting Fair Trade coffee farmers and felt that the system made a real difference. Others expressed concern over any pressure there might be in the chain between farmer and retailer to keep prices low. Green beans attracted a lot of attention, and some were worried that the Fair Trade organisation might prioritise the production of crops for first world markets over the needs of local areas. Fair Trade flowers are apparently grown in Ethiopia, where food for the population appears to be always in short supply.
There seems to be a lack of promotion of the provision and sale of Fair Trade products, certainly locally, although Margaret spoke approvingly of a town in Lancashire where this seemed much more prevalent.
It was an entertaining debate throughout, and we decided next time on Monday, 13th February, to discuss strikes and protests, both the subject of government concern and possibly legislation at present. Providing the convenor can remember, and hasn’t gone on strike.
Michael Heyden, Convenor
Please note that the views expressed by the Discussion Group may not represent those of the wider Dawlish & District u3a membership.