For now, let me just say that the debates at the workshop I organized, “New challenges with Fair Trade Certification,” got really heated.

That happened about an hour ago, here in Denver at the United Students for Fair Trade convergence. Up for debate was the integrity of fair trade certification standards and tensions that’ve been mounting in the fair trade movement for sometime.

Most recently, Nestle caused a stir when it introduced a fair trade certified product into the UK market, making lotsa people angry. Many mission-based companies (meaning companies driven by the mission of a fair and equitable world, not companies with ties to religion) argue that allowing Nestle product certifications will lower the integrity of the fair trade seal and prove confusing for the customer. Other fair trade activists contend that big companies must “start somewhere,” and certifying one fair trade product may be a step in the right direction.

Thus, the panel, to allow for a dialogue, taking a step towards keeping fair trade certification a meaningful standard for all activists and involved parties committed to fair labor practices and resolving tensions that threaten the cohesion of the movement.

On the panel:

Jean Walsh of TransFair USA, the nonprofit org that certifies fair trade products in the US. Now, since Nestle has no fair trade products in the US, TransFair USA hasn’t certified anything of Nestle’s. But TransFair USA HAS certified products from Starbucks, P&G, and other international companies.

Julia Knott of Equal Exchange, a for-profit fair trade co-op. All of Equal Exchange’s products are fair trade certified, but Rodney of Equal Exchange recently circulated a letter in the fair trade community airing his, and Equal Exchange’s dissatisfaction with the fair trade label being awarded to Nestle.

Monika Firl of Cooperative Coffees, a green bean buying collective comprised of fair trade roaster/ members (Dean’s Beans, Just Coffee, etc.). While all Co-Op coffee members are committed to fair trade ideals, some of them broke with TransFair USA a few years ago. One of the reasons for the break: the ways in which fair trade certification was offered to large, international companies.

Dan Jaffee, a PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who’s writing a book about fair trade and has interviewed many of the key players in the fair trade movement regarding these issues surrounding certification.

Also joining in the discussion:

Valerie Orth of Global Exchange, a human rights organization that works, in part, to promote fair trade. Global Exchange was behind the action in LA a few weeks ago against Nestle and other chocolate companies and their use of forced child labor.

Paul Katzeff of Thanksgiving Coffee, which carries fair trade certified products. This mission-based company’s goal is “to be a force for change in support of social and economic justice, and environmental sustainability.”

Cindy and Andy, both from Starbucks, which has now upped its fair trade commitment to 3.7% of its coffee purchases. Before the mermaid joined in, all companies were expected to ramp up to 5% within the first year.

Several coffee producers — I wasn’t able to get names :( Sorry –
Update, 2/28/06: Presong Seesa-Ard is the name of the Thai rice farmer who spoke up. Details on what he said here.

Many other activists, stakeholders, interested parties.

You can imagine why the discussion got heated. More details later, after I digest and decompress a bit –

Updates: Part II: pre-party, pre-workshop.

[The whole Certification Challenges series is here.]

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