Fancy a cup of ethically produced tea?

5th March 2009

We're in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight (which runs 'til March 8th) when ethically produced products are in the spotlight. Alexandra Fullerton discovers the good news - if you're currently cradling a cuppa it's likely it's been ethically produced.

Where our food comes from is currently the hottest topic for discussion... Did the chickens that laid the eggs in your scramble run free? Were the pigs that produced your breakfast bacon reared indoors or out? Did the far-flung farmer who grew the leaves in your teabag get a good deal for his crop?

If you're concerned where your tea comes from, it's a good idea to choose a blend that's ethically-produced. Fairtrade might be the name on everyone's lips but there are several other organizations aiming to ensure that you can sup your cuppa with a clear conscience. Here's the lowdown on who's making it happen:

The Fairtrade Foundation

www.fairtrade.org.uk
Who are they?
The most high-profile ethical sourcing group, The Fairtrade Foundation were founded in 1992 and supports producers - often in developing countries - who can be badly affected by fluctuations in world prices for their products. Fairtrade ensures they get a consistent price for their products and tea was one of the first products certified in 1994.

What do they do?
Fairtrade works towards a world where 'everyone... can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood.' By getting better trading conditions for it's member suppliers and supporting the communities in which they live, they're on their way to realising their goal. According to Ugandan tea farmer, Silver Kasoro-Atwoki, Fairtrade have helped "provide a better future" for his community. "Thanks to Fairtrade we have improved the quality and quantity of our teas. We've opened new access roads, constructed health units and added a new block to the local school. Fairtrade is significantly contributing to the social improvement of our community." What a result.

Where can I get it?
There are over 1500 Fairtrade products available in UK - everything from footballs to flowers. Asda, Harrods, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco, and the Co-op all stock Fairtrade tea.

Ethical Tea Partnership 

www.ethicalteapartnership.org
Who are they?
Formed in 1997, the ETP is not-for-profit alliance of 21 of some of the world's largest tea-packing companies. Funded entirely by it's members they monitor the working and living conditions of tea estate workers world-wide (there are an estimated 18 million!).

What do they do?
The ETP makes sure tea sourced by it's members is produced ethically. By checking the producers every four years they keep an eye on the standards and rights of the tea workers - monitoring wages, pensions, overtime, education, holiday pay, welfare, housing and health and safety. They also make sure the workers have fair conditions in which to live and ensure the estates don't use illegal child labour. Tea estates are graded annually and the ETP works out a timetable for improvement, if necessary. Recognition as a member of the scheme comes in the shape of 'Proof of Participation' which confirms that standards have been met and the workers are getting a fair deal. If there are problems the ETP works with the producers until things are back on the right track - their goal is to work with every producer their members source from.

Where can I get it?
The ETP covers around 75% of the UK tea market (and 60 tea brands worldwide) which means meaning that most tea available in the UK comes from companies subscribing to the partnership's standards, including Betty's & Taylors of Harrogate, Twinings, Tetley and Tazo (which is sold in Starbucks).

ETI - the Ethical Trade Initiative

www.ethicaltrade.org
Who are they?
Over the past ten years the ETI have established themselves as the self-styled global authority on corporate responsibility. Looking after production of everything from clothes, electrical goods, toys - and tea - they're an alliance of shops, brands, trade unions and charities which work together to tackle ethical trade issues.

What do they?
The ETI's activity makes a real difference to the lives of their factory and farm workers - they believe that everyone has a responsibility to protect worker's rights around the world. Last year member companies registered 50,000 individual changes to their workers' conditions, which improved the lives of over 6 million workers! Highlighting the fact that workers in developing countries can work in hazardous conditions the ETI encourage companies to adopt a code of labour practice which includes not forcing anyone to work, allowing workers to join trade unions, not allowing child labour or excessive working hours.

Who's involved?
Part of the ETI's ethos is to get consumers to ask retailers and brands where their products come from so you can play a part in making sure that what you buy is compassionately produced. Member companies include Asda, The Co-op, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and the ETP (above) who submit yearly progress reports to the initiative.

Keep an eye out for these organizations too:

The Rainforest Alliance

www.rainforest-alliance.org
Working worldwide with those who depend on the land for their income (like tea-farmers) the Alliance helps farmers and producers change the way they grow and harvest their crops. The result is tea grown in a sustainable fashion while the local natural habitat is conserved. They launched their own certification in 2007 (the first farm was a tea estate in Kenya who supply Lipton and PG Tips). Becoming certified means that rigorous standards - such as low levels of water pollution, reduced waste and improved conditions for farm workers - have been met. 

GlobalGap

www.globalgap.org
This business-to-business private sector body currently has a set of voluntary standards for agricultural growers (such as tea producers) and aim to establish a common standard worldwide through annual inspections.

So, the next time you put the kettle on for a brew, there's a strong chance your cuppa will have come from a company committed to farming, sourcing and producing your tea ethically. Tea buyers for British companies are increasingly ensuring they choose responsibly farmed leaves so people on the other side of the world get a fair deal. You get to sip your cuppa guilt-free!