Participation makes ethical trade work for the poor. 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 titles: R7168: Ethical trading in horticultural exports and R7468: Development of tools for ethical trading of horticultural exports by resource poor groups - Phase 2.

Although social and environmental codes of practice are now widespread in the export horticulture sector, they are not always effective in improving working conditions and livelihoods. New models and methods developed through work in Europe (the UK) and Africa (Ghana and Zimbabwe) allow poor people to participate directly in developing and implementing ethical codes of practice. They include guidelines on how to build support for such codes, as well as multi-stakeholder organisations to develop and implement them. The guidelines also set out how to develop practical criteria, indicators and verifiers, and how to conduct integrated social and environmental audits. The new knowledge also provides a better understanding of how future strategies, options and constraints will affect the further development of codes of practice for the benefit of poor people. Key ethical trade or fair trade bodies, both in horticulture and in other areas, are already putting these insights into practice.

The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (10 pp.) taken from the CD.

Citation

CPH16, 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 88.

Published 1 January 2007