Local Fair Trade in Belgium and in Europe: A Few Points to Note

Multiplication of labels and blurred image

There is no doubt about it, the emergence of local fair trade has led to the appearance of new labels such as Prix Juste Producteur in Belgium, Bio Equitable or Agri-Ethique in France, and has led certain labels such as Biogarantie to position themselves in this niche. All this in a context where ‘classic’ South-North fair trade already has several (Fairtrade, Fair for Life, Symbol of Small Producers, WFTO, etc.) and where consumers say that there are too many labels, that it is difficult to find one's way around.

The corollary of this multiplicity of labels is greater variability and a greater diversity of criteria. By becoming universal, the image of fair trade will therefore also become blurred and less legible. On the other hand, and this is not to be neglected when considering the future of fair trade, when in its communication it is linked with or sees itself as complementary to the process of buying local products, we notice a renewed interest of the press and consumers for this type of trade.

The need for legislation?   

France is the only European country to have adopted legislation describing and recognising the notion of ‘fair trade’, and to have extended it in May 2014 to North-North relations. Such legislation within the European Union would help clarifying "who really does fair trade and who doesn't?" and thus provide a framework allowing new organisations to launch themselves in a slightly more secure way in this type of trade. This would also enable consumers to distinguish between fair trade and non-fair trade products and to serve as a reference for public authorities wishing to promote them in the context of calls to the market.

 
Taking animal welfare into account?

Fair Trade milk has brought a product from the animal world into the scope of this solidarity trade, which will eventually requiree Fair Trade organisations to detail criteria relating to animal welfare. Oxfam Fair Trade already foresees in its framework for partnerships with producers in the North that: "The partner respects the rights of the animals." But what will happen when the first 'fair trade' cuts of meat are offered in supermarkets? What will then be the nature of the debate between the proponents of fair trade, vegetarianism or veganism?

The coexistence of ‘Southern’ and ‘Northern’ products

Will local Fair Trade products compete with Fair Trade products usually coming from the South? It is this risk that has until now led Fairtrade producer networks to avoid opening up the most well-known Fairtrade label to products from the North.

For products such as coffee and cocoa, the question does not arise since these products can only be grown in tropical zones. But for flowers, wine, honey or certain fruit juices? For honey, European supply is lower than demand. So as long as honey is brought in from elsewhere, it's better to make it fair. For wine and fruit juices, apart from the organoleptic characteristics and tastes linked to the region, the carbon balance and ecological footprint of products from different geographical areas should be taken into consideration. This debate is far too vast to be developed here, especially as production methods must also be taken into consideration. An organic agro-ecological product coming from the South and transported by boat (or even by cargo sailboat) could have a smaller ecological footprint than a product from Spain coming from industrial agriculture.

In concrete terms, ‘cohabitation’ does not seem to pose too many problems at the moment. Apart from replacing a Chilean apple juice with a Belgian one, Oxfam-Magasins du Monde, for example, sells 'Northern' products that complement its original range.

And let's dream a little. In the long term, the parallel development of local fair trade in the countries of the South could absorb some of the products that could no longer be marketed via large-scale exports.

Read more about ‘Local fair trade in Belgium and Europe’ in the study of the Trade for Development Centre (Enabel): https://www.tdc-enabel.be/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Local-Fair-Trade-in-Belgium-and-Europe.pdf

In French: https://usercontent.one/wp/www.tdc-enabel.be/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Le-commerce-equitable-belge-et-europeen.pdf?media=1639485290

TDC published a non-exhaustive list of Belgian and European initiatives that fall under the category of ‘local fair trade’. The document also presents a synoptic table of criteria used for local Fair Trade, a typology of organisations, a cross-sectional analysis of the similarities and differences in production processes, pricing etc., and provides a few points of attention like the multiplication of labels, the coexistence of ‘Southern’ and ‘Northern’ products…