09/06/2011
From June 8 to 9, 2011, representatives of RECERD collaborated with ICAFIS on a consultation with small farmers to develop draft Fairtrade certification (Fairtrade) in My Xuyen, Soc Trang. Fairtrade is a certification by FLO-International Organization for the Fair Trade label (Fairtrade Labelling Organization International, a non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 1998 in the Netherlands. FLO has worked in more that 20 countries and over 20 different production areas. Fairtrade is now attracting much attention owing to the large number of small farmers involved in shrimp farming.
FLO aims to improve the lives of small farmers and agricultural workers by introducing them to fairer trading. Fair Trade (TMCB) is an initiative to help farmers to overcome their difficulties, stressing social development, economic development, environmental development, and working conditions. For social development FLO requires an organization of small producers to apply this standard to prove that TMCB revenues will contribute to promoting economic development for farmers - small producers. The benefits from fair trade will be shared with the farmers democratically. Organizations need to prepare and implement this structure in a transparent, democratic and non-discrimination manner. To meet the requirements of economic development the organization must ensure adequate facilities for logistics and communications, and apply technical standards for their products, especially those for export. To meet the standard requirements regarding the environment ensure that the management of production (farm management and the use of land, water, fertilizers, chemicals, and farming techniques) protect the natural environment. During implementation organizations should monitor, control, evaluate and have proven compliance record with these requirements. To meet the requirements working conditions forced labor and child labor must not be used, and there must be freedom of collective bargaining, good working conditions, and the safety and occupational health of workers. Through the application of such FLO standards, small farmers will have the opportunity to satisfy the requirements for exporting products, contribute to environmental protection and contribute to economic development, particularly the social benefits.
For two days in Soc Trang, the Group held a consultation workshop in the My Xuyen District People's Committee office, and consultation visits were made to shrimp cooperatives in Long Xuyen District. Local officials and small farmers were very interested in this certification and the draft Fairtrade standards, which they hoped would soon be issued. According to Mr. Kenneth Boyce?, FLO representative, the second draft was to be completed in September. and after a further consultancy hopefully Fairtrade standards for shrimp farming would be completed in early January 2012. After that, shrimp farming cooperatives could register for Fairtrade certification.
For more information please contact Mr. Tuong Phi Lai, email: lai.recerd @ gmail.com
Thao Nhi
FLO aims to improve the lives of small farmers and agricultural workers by introducing them to fairer trading. Fair Trade (TMCB) is an initiative to help farmers to overcome their difficulties, stressing social development, economic development, environmental development, and working conditions. For social development FLO requires an organization of small producers to apply this standard to prove that TMCB revenues will contribute to promoting economic development for farmers - small producers. The benefits from fair trade will be shared with the farmers democratically. Organizations need to prepare and implement this structure in a transparent, democratic and non-discrimination manner. To meet the requirements of economic development the organization must ensure adequate facilities for logistics and communications, and apply technical standards for their products, especially those for export. To meet the standard requirements regarding the environment ensure that the management of production (farm management and the use of land, water, fertilizers, chemicals, and farming techniques) protect the natural environment. During implementation organizations should monitor, control, evaluate and have proven compliance record with these requirements. To meet the requirements working conditions forced labor and child labor must not be used, and there must be freedom of collective bargaining, good working conditions, and the safety and occupational health of workers. Through the application of such FLO standards, small farmers will have the opportunity to satisfy the requirements for exporting products, contribute to environmental protection and contribute to economic development, particularly the social benefits.
For two days in Soc Trang, the Group held a consultation workshop in the My Xuyen District People's Committee office, and consultation visits were made to shrimp cooperatives in Long Xuyen District. Local officials and small farmers were very interested in this certification and the draft Fairtrade standards, which they hoped would soon be issued. According to Mr. Kenneth Boyce?, FLO representative, the second draft was to be completed in September. and after a further consultancy hopefully Fairtrade standards for shrimp farming would be completed in early January 2012. After that, shrimp farming cooperatives could register for Fairtrade certification.
For more information please contact Mr. Tuong Phi Lai, email: lai.recerd @ gmail.com
Thao Nhi
