The Fairtrade Foundation is not partnering with the new Sainsbury’s Foundation pilot in tea due to fundamental concerns that it falls below the core principles of Fairtrade, and because farmers in Africa felt that it would take away their control.
With the launch of Sainsbury's new fair trade programme, own-brand Red Label and Gold Label ranges will no longer be Fairtrade certified, but will instead be part of its new Fairly Traded range. More than 229,000 farmers will be affected.
Michael Gidney, CEO of the Sustain member the Fairtrade Foundation, said: 'Fairtrade and Sainsbury’s have worked together for many years and we are rightfully proud of what we have achieved for some of the world’s most marginalised farmers. Whilst we welcome and expect companies to work towards improving social, economic and environmental outcomes within their supply chains, we don’t believe the execution of this current model will, on balance, deliver positive changes for tea farmers'.
Read Fairtrade's statement in full here, and an accompanying Open Letter to Sainsbury's from Fairtrade producers here. Divine, the Fairtrade chocolate company, also issued a statement expressing its disappointment with Sainsbury's decision, here.
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Published Thursday 25 May 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
