Understanding Fairtrade
We all live in a time when ethical issues are becoming increasingly relevant, and we were therefore delighted to have won The Drinks Business Green Awards Ethical Award 2010, which was awarded in recognition of our efforts in carrying out the best ethical practices in day-to-day business.
We are currently the world's largest producer of certified Fairtrade-organic wine. We were first Fairtrade certified in February 2006, after a year-long audit process, making us Argentina's first Fairtrade certified winery.
Why Fairtrade?
Fairtrade was introduced to ensure a better deal for growers and small-scale producers in developing countries. These people have often found that because of their remoteness or size of operation they are unable to obtain a fair price for their products.
Source: The Annual Fairtrade Wine Tasting 2009 brochure.
The Fairtrade Mark
This is an independent consumer label which appears on UK products as a guarantee that the producers receive a better deal. For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards. These standards are set by the international certification body, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). FLO is an umbrella organization that unites 20 labelling initiatives in 21 countries and producer networks, representing Fairtrade Certified Producer Organisations in Central and Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Source: The Annual Fairtrade Wine Tasting 2009 brochure.