The Fairtrade Foundation recognises the International Development Committee as a vital platform to advance trade policies that can drive international development goals. By focusing on the needs and resilience of the more than 2 million smallholder farmers and workers that Fairtrade collaborates with, the Committee can influence the UK government to build sustainable global supply chains. Therefore, we propose that the Committee prioritise the impact of trade on international development in its work.
The Committee has the opportunity to highlight trade policies’ profound impact on global stability and prosperity. By promoting UK trade policies that align with international development goals, the Committee can help create equitable economic opportunities, reduce poverty, and enhance resilience against socio-economic shocks. The Fairtrade Foundation’s collaboration with farmers across over 70 countries underscores the wide-reaching impact and potential for positive change.
With current global challenges like climate change and economic disruptions, it is crucial for the Committee to lead discussions on reassessing trade policies. As the UK navigates post-Brexit trade relationships and develops a new trade strategy, the Committee can guide efforts toward inclusive and sustainability-focused policies, helping the UK meet its climate and development commitments.
The Committee’s scrutiny ensures that individual trade policies and activities, and the UK’s broader approach to trade in its trade strategy, uphold economic and ethical standards. By examining trade’s impact on development and environmental sustainability, the Committee can hold the government accountable to its international obligations, preventing policies from perpetuating inequalities or environmental degradation.
• Encourage the government to implement a trade strategy that supports sustainable development by recognizing the needs of smallholder farmers and workers in global supply chains.
• Promote inclusive business models and innovations that enhance environmental and social sustainability. For example, Fairtrade’s initiatives have resulted in the availability of over 5,000 Fairtrade products in the UK, demonstrating the market’s capacity for supporting ethical trade.
• Support the enactment of laws requiring businesses to address human rights and environmental violations in supply chains, ensuring compliance does not disadvantage producers in developing countries.
• Facilitate collaboration with organisations like Fairtrade to represent producers’ needs and priorities in policy decisions.
• Advocate for UK aid to support sustainable farming practices and climate change adaptation driven by insights from those in the first mile of supply chains.
The Fairtrade Foundation is eager to work with the Committee to ensure a fair and sustainable global food system. By prioritising this issue, the Committee can advocate for policies that advance both economic growth and global equality. We look forward to collaborating to achieve these goals.