THE FAIR TRADE IN THE FOOD SECTOR

The philosophy him away from the protectionist models based on subsidies or aid, to promote voluntary and fair trade relationship between producers and consumers, and is also in favor of free trade without restrictive barriers to products of developing countries.

The history of Fair Trade began in 1964 with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which was estimated replace economic aid to developing countries for open trade regime of markets, avoiding tariffs and encouraging the emergence of world shops in Europe. In 1973, the Guatemalan coffee joined the list of food products fair trade, giving a boost to the growth of the system. In the 80s and 90s, many food products were integrated into the joint network quality brands appearing now integrated into the FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International), whose member in Spain is Fairtrade Ibérica.

Fair trade is closely linked to Food Sovereignty, the term appeared in 1996, at the Roma World Summit Food by FAO, on the right of each people is set to define their own agricultural and food policies according objectives of sustainable development and food security. This involves protecting the domestic market against cheaper surplus products sold on the international market, and against the practice of dumping or selling below production costs.

We note that Fair Trade emphasizes international commerce, but without forgetting the criteria of justice in production at source, encouraging models of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility in the entire food chain. Social, economic and environmental considerations spend it to the fore, as the demands of consumers demand. It is therefore a means to advance the development of producer countries, while a trend of increased food derived responsibility for consumer markets.

It could be argued against Fair Trade low levels in quality control and safety, specifically critical in the food sector. This is rebuttable, however, recalling the obligation of the marketing of these products by a quality seal very restrictive laws on which marketers countries act with special emphasis.

Sustainable production at the origin, with regulatory controls on the import, distribution and direct retail sales, food products made from Fair Trade an economic model that, with increasing importance and strong support from consumers, should be considered for our food companies.

Example of integration of the sector in this economic model is the notable increase of 11.4% year according to the CECJ, sales of Fair Trade products. The incorporation of conventional food businesses, opening new channels of distribution and marketing, make sales have skyrocketed, "which has increased spending is not those who already eat fair trade, but the number of people who access it through increased supply and demand, "says Gonzalo Donaire responsible of CECJ Studies. Incorporating supermarkets, Internet and catalog sales of Fairtrade certified products, endorse a consumer trend upward, as indicated by the latest report of the CECJ, every citizen in Spain spent half 60.4 cents in these products. Still very far from the European average, which is 5 euros; in countries like Switzerland or UK expenditure per capita per year in fair trade products amounted to 28 and 29 euros respectively. A new niche to discover and encourage for our companies.

+info:

• CECJ, Spain State Coordinator of Fair Trade: http://comerciojusto.org/
• Fairtrade Ibérica: http://www.sellocomerciojusto.org/es/
• Commercial Space Fair: http://www.espaciocomerciojusto.org
• Portal of Solidarity Economy: http://www.economiasolidaria.org