Europese Commissie verdiept zich in voorstellen Fair Trade

PRESS RELEASE No 056/2009

6 May 2009

EESC's Fair Trade proposals taken on board by

European Commission

The European Economic and Social Committee's proposals concerning Fair Trade have been taken on board by the European Commission's Communication, `Contributing to Sustainable Development: The role of Fair Trade and non-governmental trade-related sustainability assurance schemes', as a clear recognition of the practical, European-wide support by consumers for sustainable development in developing countries.

In 2008 EU sales of Fair Trade certified products approached 2 billion EUR. In practice the existing Fair Trade international logo and certification body has won acceptance not only from the major European retailers but also from numerous national governments and EU institutions. Major processors and manufacturers such as Nestle, Cadburys and Van Houten produce Fair Trade marked product ranges. In addition representative organisations from hundreds of agricultural producer groups in developing countries have been involved in formulating Fair Trade criteria and play a full role in the governance of the World Fair Trade Organisation.

The EESC is particularly encouraged to note that the Commission communication takes up the main recommendations made by the Committee in its exploratory opinion of December 2005, on Ethical Trade and Consumer Assurance Schemes, and quotes extensively from this opinion. In particular the Commission takes up the emphasis laid by the EESC on independent verification and control and transparency.

EESC member Richard Adams, the rapporteur on said opinion, who was also founder of the UK's largest fair trade organisation, Traidcraft, said, 'I'm delighted by this constructive and positive endorsement of the Fair Trade movement by the Commission. Sales of Fair Trade products are 70 times larger than ten years ago - and this is also a clear vote of confidence and support by the European public. In 2005 the EESC set out its views on how the EU institutions could further support Fair Trade and it's clear that the framework we then outlined has been woven into the Commission's Communication.'

To consult the opinion, please visit:

http://eesc.europa.eu/documents/opinions/avis_en.asp?type=en