First Fairtrade Olive Oil Gives Hope to Palestinian Farmers - Guardian Article
Zaytoun on February 24th, 2009The first Fairtrade product from Palestinian farmers is going on sale in Co-op supermarkets as olive oil from co-operatives in the West Bank are promoted for their ethical trading status.
The UK-based company behind the imports hopes foods such as dates and almonds might soon qualify for similar certification, followed later by soaps using olive oil from similar marginalised communities.
Gordon Brown said he was “delighted” by the launch, marking the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, the annual campaign urging people to buy goods with the internationally recognised mark designed to ensure producers from poorer countries get a fair price and long-term security.
At present, Palestinian producers only use about a quarter of the 2000-tonne a year EU quota for their olive oil, but campaigners hope the formal recognition and first supermarket sales for the Zaytoun product will establish a more secure market.
Brown said: “Olive oil production provides an essential part of the West Bank economy. In buying this oil, British shoppers wil be helping the farmers of Palestine to make a living.”
Read the rest of this article here
