Proposition put to the States of Jersey on March 12th 2004

FAIRTRADE ISLAND

The States are asked to decide whether they are of the opinion –

1. to support all possible initiatives to enable the Island to be recognised by the Fairtrade Foundation as a Fairtrade Island and, in particular, to agree that :
   1. Fairtrade coffee and tea should be served at meetings of the States and of Committees of the States;
   2. the States should promote awareness of Fairtrade on a regular basis on the States of Jersey website and in publications produced, or sponsored, by the States;
   3. the Planning and Environment Committee be requested, in partnership with the Jersey Fairtrade steering group, to ensure continued commitment to the Fairtrade initiative;
   4. street signs should be erected declaring Jersey as a Fairtrade Island if this status is obtained; and
2. to request all Committees and Departments of the States to take all appropriate steps to support Fairtrade products in their purchasing policies.

SENATOR J.A. LE MAISTRE

Report

The Fairtrade logo states simply "Fairtrade Guarantees a better deal for Third World Producers".

The idea of the Fairtrade Town initiative was born in the UK in 1999 when an enterprising Oxfam group in the Lancashire market town of Garstang was considering the next step in its campaign to promote Fairtrade. The campaign to make Garstang the world’s first Fairtrade Town, caught the imagination of the local community which was galvanized by support from local shopkeepers, businesses and the council and engaged the attention of the local and regional media.

The campaign also won the endorsement of prominent politicians, including the Mayor, the local Member of Parliament and George Foulkes, Minister at the Department for International Development.

From this initiative many towns and cities in the UK have become committed to the aims of Fairtrade and have gained recognition by the Fairtrade Foundation.

The Five Goals required to be met to achieve Fairtrade status are set down by the Foundation.  They are as follows :

1. The local Council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade Coffee and Tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens.  (Full text below).
2. A range of Fairtrade products are readily available in the area’s shops and served in at least two (or four if a city) local/cafés/catering establishments.
3. Fairtrade products are used by at least 10 (or 20 if a city) local businesses and organizations.
4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
5. A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status.

The full text of number (1) above as it appears in the Fairtrade leaflet is as follows -

• Local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens.
• Local council commits itself to promoting awareness of Fairtrade to its constituency on a regular basis, through its free publication (if it has one) and other outlets.
• Local council allocates Fairtrade Town responsibilities to a member of staff or committee (possibly its Environmental or Agenda 21 officer working in partnership with a local Fairtrade steering group) to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status.
• Street signs are erected declaring it as a Fairtrade Town.

This island has been a leader in demonstrating its commitment, over the last 35 years, in developing a program of assistance to third world countries both through funding aid and also through practical assistance.  We now have an opportunity to further strengthen our commitment to the relief of suffering in third world countries by promoting the sale of Fairtrade products in our community.

All goods bearing the Fairtrade Mark have to be approved by the Fairtrade Foundation and an explanation of this is to be found in the attached leaflet entitled "An introduction to Fairtrade".

Jersey already has an impressive list of suppliers of Fairtrade goods which are as follows :

• The Oxfam Shop,  New Street, St Helier.
• The Co-op Stores.
• Checkers.
• Safeway.
• Coopers, Halkett Place, St Helier.
• Health Essentials, New Street, St Helier.
• Spice House,  Central Market, St Helier.
• Organic Shop, Stopford Road, St Helier.
• St. Ouen’s Community Market.
• St. Lawrence’s Community Market.

Fairtrade coffees are served at Bean Around The World, MangeTout, The Daily Grind, The Opera House cafe and Bagel Bar. They are served at Bistro Victoria at Victoria College.  There may well be others.

It will be of interest to members and the public to know that Fairtrade roast and ground coffee sales accounted for 15% of the market value in 2002.

There are now more than 130 Fairtrade products supplied by 360 producer groups representing 4.5 million producers in 45 Countries.

The House of Commons has been serving Fairtrade products for several years.

There are 32 Fairtrade towns and cities, with another 140 seeking the status.  As yet there are no Islands so Jersey could well be the very first Island, not just in the British Isles but in the World to achieve this status if this proposition is approved by the States.

Also of interest is that a Fairtrade fortnight is planned for March.  A songwriting competition has been launched for the Island’s young people and there is a concert of winners planned for 6th March 2004.  There is a Fairtrade Tea Dance being organized by the Gerard Le Claire Trust at the Town Hall.

The aim of the Jersey Christian Aid group is to make Jersey a fair-trade Island by October 2005.  I firmly believe that, given goodwill, this can be achieved sooner.

Four of the five Goals required for the Island to achieve recognition as a Fairtrade Island are virtually met. There remains the first Goal which this proposition is intended to meet.

Financial and manpower implications

Any financial or manpower implications should be minimal.

The proposition was passed by 46 votes to 2.