USCCB adopts "fair trade" policy

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January 2006

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USCCB adopts "fair trade" policy

USCCB adopts "fair trade" policy
December 21, 2005, Baltimore, MD - The International and Domestic Policy Committee of the USCCB expressed its support for “Fair Trade” and initiatives such as the Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade handcrafts, coffee and chocolate programs. In a policy statement issued November 30th, the USCCB adopted the following language as part of its trade policy:

The United State Conference of Catholic Bishops supports fair trade programs through which disadvantaged artisans, farmers and farmworkers receive fair compensation for the goods they produce. We encourage Catholic organizations and individuals to purchase fair trade products (e.g., through Catholic Relief Services’ programs) whenever possible.

Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on respect and equity. The Fair Trade organizations that CRS partners with in its Fair Trade Programs follow a set of trading principles including: trade as a tool for poverty alleviation, transparency and accountability, capacity building, fair prices, gender equity, safe working conditions, no child exploitation and concern for the environment.

“The CRS Fair Trade Program enables Catholics and other socially conscious consumers to make the world a better place through the choices they make every day about what to buy,” said Michael Sheridan, director of the CRS Fair Trade Program. “We often hear from people who want to help but don’t know what they can do. This program is an easy way for us to make a stand with people around the world who are all too often left on the sidelines of the global economy.”

For more information on CRS' Fair Trade handcrafts, coffee and chocolate programs, please visit www.crsfairtrade.org.

For more:
Catholic Relief Services launches new fair trade chocolate initiative

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