10/08/2007
School Uniform Shop is now pleased to stock a range of Trutex 100% Fairtrade Organic cotton sweatshirts and polo shirts.
Let's make it a better world for our growing children. Trutex Fairtrade organic cotton products brings social and environmental benefits to small-scale cotton farmers in the developing world.
The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent body that awards the FAIRTRADE Mark to products that meet international Fairtrade standards. The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees a fair deal for the farmers growing the agricultural commodities used in Fairtrade products.
Fairtrade Cotton
Fairtrade certification has now been extended to seed cotton – that is, cotton in its raw, unprocessed form. This means there’s a whole new product category backed by the guarantee of the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Bringing cotton producer groups into the Fairtrade system will help small-scale cotton farmers tackle poverty, and improve the day-to-day conditions in which they live and work.
Products made with Fairtrade certified cotton were first launched in the UK in 2005; now there is a wide range of products available and is continuing to grow. By choosing these you are ensuring that smallscale cotton farmers get a fair and stable price for their crop.
Social and Economic Benefits
Fairtrade guarantees farmers a better price for their cotton. This means they are more able to support their families and invest in their farms. Housing can be improved, children can stay in school, and farmers can choose to stay on their land instead of being forced to migrate to cities.
The Fairtrade price includes a premium that is set aside to invest in social and environmental projects. This ensures that communities have the ability to fund long-term improvement. Elected farmer committees decide democratically how these premiums are spent. In India farmers have agreed to spend the premium on health insurance, water conservation and income generating schemes.
Fairtrade certification requires farmers to organise themselves into associations or co-operatives. This leads to the pooling of resources and puts them in a stronger position when selling their cotton.
Environmental Benefits
The pressure to increase yields by using more chemicals in conventional cotton farming threatens human health and environmental sustainability. Fairtrade farmers are committed to reducing chemical use and protecting the environment.
Fairtrade cotton farmers reduce and replace conventional pesticides and fertilisers with natural alternatives. Many can then go one step further and convert to organic production.
Fairtrade standards prohibit the use of genetically modified cotton seed. Farmers introduce other crops into rotation patterns, diversifying income and improving soil fertility.
Fairtrade Cotton - Your choice for lasting change
Look for the FAIRTRADE Mark, your independent guarantee that products have been made using Fairtrade certified cotton.
For more information please visit the Fairtrade Website.
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