Comments on: Certification challenges, part VIII: In defense of TransFair USA http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/ Urban environmental lifestyle blog in Los Angeles Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:08:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-8925 Siel Thu, 20 Jul 2006 06:23:05 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-8925 Hey Liz -- Here's a short explanation of the <a href="http://greenlagirl.com/2006/07/17/does-fair-trade-certification-matter-rink-says-no/#comment-8758" rel="nofollow">difference between certification and licensing, and who does what</a>. I think that'll help to clarify some Qs for you :) Hey Liz — Here’s a short explanation of the difference between certification and licensing, and who does what. I think that’ll help to clarify some Qs for you :)

]]> By: Liz http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-8887 Liz Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:21:22 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-8887 What "rules" are we talking about here? It is my understanding that the FLO is actually the certifier of Fair Trade, not TFUSA, correct? So it's not the actual Fair Trade standards that are being 'bent' if TFUSA is negotiating with large corporations. Are we merely talking about TFUSA's ability to get these large corporations to buy bigger quanitites of this coffee? And when it comes to companies getting on the FT bandwagon, isn't some FT coffee better than none at all? What “rules” are we talking about here? It is my understanding that the FLO is actually the certifier of Fair Trade, not TFUSA, correct? So it’s not the actual Fair Trade standards that are being ‘bent’ if TFUSA is negotiating with large corporations.

Are we merely talking about TFUSA’s ability to get these large corporations to buy bigger quanitites of this coffee?

And when it comes to companies getting on the FT bandwagon, isn’t some FT coffee better than none at all?

]]> By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-1721 Siel Sun, 26 Feb 2006 00:05:27 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-1721 Hey Birdie. Yeah -- I hear what you're saying. I have to say -- I agree TFUSA's in a tough position. On the other hand, I don't think that can be used as an excuse for quashing the voices of others in the movement, you know what I mean? I get the sense that TFUSA's trying hard internally, but that others commited to fair trade outside TFUSA feel their concerns and voices aren't getting heard. -- especially when TFUSA comes out against them. Meaning -- TFUSA'd have a lot more of my sympathy if the nonprofit didn't do stuff like side with Starbucks against Global Exchange. I like to think of myself as an empathetic, pragmatic person. But when it comes down to TFUSA coming out pro-corporate interests and anti-activist momentum, I get really, really pissed off. Hey Birdie. Yeah — I hear what you’re saying. I have to say — I agree TFUSA’s in a tough position. On the other hand, I don’t think that can be used as an excuse for quashing the voices of others in the movement, you know what I mean?

I get the sense that TFUSA’s trying hard internally, but that others commited to fair trade outside TFUSA feel their concerns and voices aren’t getting heard. — especially when TFUSA comes out against them.

Meaning — TFUSA’d have a lot more of my sympathy if the nonprofit didn’t do stuff like side with Starbucks against Global Exchange. I like to think of myself as an empathetic, pragmatic person. But when it comes down to TFUSA coming out pro-corporate interests and anti-activist momentum, I get really, really pissed off.

]]> By: BirdBarista http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-1698 BirdBarista Fri, 24 Feb 2006 12:04:06 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/23/part-viii-in-defense-of-transfair-usa/#comment-1698 "We’re a struggling non-profit of barely 40 people on a shoe-string budget." If they can keep getting those licensing fees from big companies, they'll have more money to operate, to attract more dynamic employees, a bigger more evolved board, other funders...and have more influence. At least, that's what I'd hope. I'm not sure what would happen if they got more Big Coffee on board and then decided to develop more backbone and stiffen up the rules mid-stream. This movement is having growing pains, that's for sure. “We’re a struggling non-profit of barely 40 people on a shoe-string budget.” If they can keep getting those licensing fees from big companies, they’ll have more money to operate, to attract more dynamic employees, a bigger more evolved board, other funders…and have more influence. At least, that’s what I’d hope. I’m not sure what would happen if they got more Big Coffee on board and then decided to develop more backbone and stiffen up the rules mid-stream. This movement is having growing pains, that’s for sure.

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