In one of the boldest moves ever to Fairtrade, Tate & Lyle announced their intention to convert 100% of their retail sugar to Fairtrade.
Around 70,000 tonnes of certified sugar from Belize is expected to be involved in the first phase of the programme.
This increases tenfold the total volumes of Fairtrade sugar sold in the UK in 2007. Starting in February 2008, the full conversion of Tate & Lyle’s retail range is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The move comes at a critical time for the farmers and the whole Belizean sugar industry, which faces challenges from changes to the EU Sugar Regime, and from Hurricane Dean, which devastated farms in the region in 2007. 6,000 small-scale growers in the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association will benefit and the switch will generate Fairtrade premiums of US$60 per tonne.
Giovanni Loria, Chairman of Corozal (District) Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, said: ‘Fairtrade is like a door to a great opportunity within our community. Investments in education will generate more opportunity and Fairtrade can help us build schools, health centres, clinics and much more. For us, Fairtrade is a new beginning.’
Source: The Fairtrade Foundation
Article taken from Fair Comment magazine (sign up to receive a regular email copy)
Return to Index for the Parish of Walthamstow Magazine, July/August 2008
