New Fairtrade standards could impact SA exports to EU

SOUTH AFRICAN exports to
the EU could be affected by
new standards being prepared
for Fairtrade in Africa.
The Fairtrade Certification
Mark guarantees a better deal
to disadvantaged producers
and workers in developing
countries.
“We are in the midst of
having new standards drawn
up by FLO-Cert in Germany,”
says Charles Starling, secretary
of Fairtrade SA. Also being
considered in the South African
Country Policy is research into
Broad Based Black Economic
Empowerment.
The number of certified
Fairtrade producers in the
country is growing, says
Starling.
In order for producers to
qualify as Fairtrade members,
they need to be certified with
FLO-Cert in Germany. When
their application is approved,
a FLO ID number will then be
issued to them.
Fairtrade-produced
products from SA are sent
to countries in North and
South America, Australasia and
Europe. Rooibos tea is sent
to Canada, the USA, France,
Sweden, Netherlands, United
Kingdom, Italy and New
Zealand, says Starling.
The Fairtrade initiative
is proving to be positive
for South African farmers,
especially those who are at a
disadvantage because of little
capital or poor resources.
“New producer groups
(farmers) are certainly
encouraged to become part of
the Fairtrade movement, and
quite a lot of funding is spent
on growing this effectively and
[ensuring] sustainability,” says
Starling.
“The system is there to
protect the interests of small
producers and ensure that they
get a fairer deal.”
Successes by Fairtraderegistered
companies in the
export market will have spinoffs
for logistics and freight
suppliers. Those which are
themselves Fairtrade certified
will be better positioned to
win the business.