MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, November 09, 2015
QUESTION NO.31
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
That the County Manager issue a report into How Fairtrade can be promoted and encouraged throughout SDCC? (With Fairtrade you have the power to change the world every day. With one simple choice you can get farmers a better deal. And that means they can make their own decisions, control their futures and lead the dignified life everyone deserves.)
REPLY:
Two elements of the “triple bottom line” in terms of sustainable business are social and environmental, (the other being financial). Accordingly, the promotion of fairtrade in SDCC would in principle be welcomed . However, it must be noted that at the heart of this concept is the role of community involvement. The achievement of fairtrade status involves a series of steps which is rooted in the ‘bottom up’ approach, including bringing together local traders, community groups and other interested parties in a fairtrade group. While the promotion of the selling of fairtrade goods is the most public of activities arising from this proposal, this needs to be based on the foundation of a local fairtrade group that promotes and seeks to persuade both people and traders of the merits of pursuing fairtrade status.
The sustainable business programme could offer advice/support to such a group.
