The campaign to achieve Fairtrade status for Rotherham was brought to the attention of councillors at the council meeting held on the 24th November 2004. It was resolved unanimously to support the principle of Fairtrade and to take the necessary steps to move towards Fairtrade status for the Rotherham borough.
Fairtrade developed from recognising the important role that consumers can play in addressing poverty and disadvantage across the world. It seeks to ensure that disadvantaged producers in Third World countries get a better deal from international trade. Whilst international trade is an important means through which people in developing countries can build a sustainable livelihood and improve their standard of living, the ability of developing countries to compete in current international markets is limited.
The purpose of fairtrade is not merely to avoid exploitation of suppliers but to help make a real improvement to people's lives. Fairtrade is essentially about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
Due to the amount of coverage that the plight of people in developing countries has received in this country from the 2005 summer events - the G8 summit in Scotland, Live8 in London, Edinburgh and across the world - Fairtrade is increasingly being noticed. People are not only listening, they are caring. Through Fairtrade they can directly help workers in the Third World achieve sustainable growth.
Rotherham becoming a FairtradeTown (55kb)
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