Fair trade for forest products. Validated RNRRS Output.

Abstract

This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.

Summary for Project title: R7285: Viability and potential of ethical trading initiatives as a means of enhancing and safeguarding income generating opportunities for forest-dependent people.

Lessons learned from assessing best practice in ethical trade schemes are now guiding organisations around the world. Ethical and conventional trading systems were compared for three forest products: cocoa, brazil nuts and timber—in terms of both their impact on local people and their economic viability. Researchers also analysed wider policies, markets and non-forest sectors, to get the big picture. An important conclusion was that assessing impacts on livelihoods and the environment must be a part of ethical trade initiatives. This and other findings have been disseminated through policy briefings and a draft manual on best practices. Lessons learned have already been used by Oxfam and CARE in Peru, Ecuador and South Africa, and by the Ecolabelling Institute of Indonesia (LEI).

The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (14 pp.) taken from the CD.

Citation

FRP19, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 96.

Published 1 January 2007