Bringing quality to life for developing countries

FOR everyone with an interest in helping to relieve Africa of poverty, July 24 marked a sad turning point, when the global free trade talks collapsed, putting the World Trade Organisation’s Doha development negotiations on hold. It is increasingly unlikely an agreement can be found on making trade fairer.

At this point, even the most optimistic of observers describe the chances of success as ‘wafer-thin’. From my own experience at a company which has been pioneering Fairtrade for the past 15 years, I know trading fairly does make a positive impact.

We ensure more goes back for the benefit of growers per pack of coffee, tea or cocoa sold. We pay above Fairtrade minimum prices to all the growers we purchase from and we form long-term partnerships that help them to develop sustainable businesses.

We also reinvest part of our profits into growers’ businesses. In 2005, we invested 86% of our operating profit into tailor-made training and development programmes. This enables growers to strengthen their organisations and take control of their lives.

Furthermore, our business model means growers hold shares in the company, sit on the board and have a say in how the business is run.

Enabling long-term partnerships and investment will empower African people to generate their own income and help them build an independent economic future.

World leaders continue to disagree, and real politics mean that, at best, progress towards fairer trade rules is moving at a snail’s pace. Consumers have another option, to make their voice heard and help make trade fairer, so we encourage them to support Fairtrade.

Penny Newman

Chief Executive

Cafédirect

City Cloisters

196 Old Street

London EC1V 9FR

England