Comments on: Certification challenges, part XI: TransFair USA answers critiques http://greenlagirl.com/certification-challenges-part-xi-transfair-usa-answers-critiques/ Urban environmental lifestyle blog in Los Angeles Fri, 25 May 2012 17:16:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/certification-challenges-part-xi-transfair-usa-answers-critiques/comment-page-1/#comment-3332 Siel Thu, 27 Apr 2006 07:18:06 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/03/17/certification-challenges-part-xi-transfair-usa-answers-critiques/#comment-3332 Well Mike -- I have to say that's a question that many fair trade advocates and companies have been asking. According to TFUSA, the org doesn't have the clout to make such demands -- about cut-off dates and stuff -- to big corps like Starbucks. Of course, if the Bux DID actually make a serious commitment, it would wield even a bigger influence at TFUSA. That said, considering the fact that Starbucks is still at 3.7% after SIX YEARS, something like 20-30% is somewhat of a pipe dream for fair trade activists -- Well Mike — I have to say that’s a question that many fair trade advocates and companies have been asking.

According to TFUSA, the org doesn’t have the clout to make such demands — about cut-off dates and stuff — to big corps like Starbucks.

Of course, if the Bux DID actually make a serious commitment, it would wield even a bigger influence at TFUSA. That said, considering the fact that Starbucks is still at 3.7% after SIX YEARS, something like 20-30% is somewhat of a pipe dream for fair trade activists –

]]> By: Mike http://greenlagirl.com/certification-challenges-part-xi-transfair-usa-answers-critiques/comment-page-1/#comment-2127 Mike Wed, 22 Mar 2006 07:41:00 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/03/17/certification-challenges-part-xi-transfair-usa-answers-critiques/#comment-2127 Why doesn't TFUSA set a cut-off date by which point Starbucks (or any other company) has to meet the 5% threshold. Let's TFSA gave a 10 year window, and moved the 5% 'target' to be a 5% 'minimum' volume . Then if Starbucks hadn't met the minimum volume by 2010 they could still be allowed to purchase Fairtrade coffee - but not allowed to use the Fairtrade logo in any way to continue greenwashing their operation. By the way though, if Starbucks DID increase it's percentage of Fairtrade coffee, to 20% or 30%, can you imagine how much influence it would have on TFUSA then? Why doesn’t TFUSA set a cut-off date by which point Starbucks (or any other company) has to meet the 5% threshold. Let’s TFSA gave a 10 year window, and moved the 5% ‘target’ to be a 5% ‘minimum’ volume . Then if Starbucks hadn’t met the minimum volume by 2010 they could still be allowed to purchase Fairtrade coffee – but not allowed to use the Fairtrade logo in any way to continue greenwashing their operation.

By the way though, if Starbucks DID increase it’s percentage of Fairtrade coffee, to 20% or 30%, can you imagine how much influence it would have on TFUSA then?

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