Animal Rights and Fair Trade

[Guest guest]

-------

FoA Initiative for Animal Rights and Fair Trade

Sat, 31 May 2008 02:53:28 -0400

Lee Hall <leehall

<VeganViews (AT) googl (DOT) com>

 

 

 

*Animal Rights and Fair Trade*

 

Friends of Animals’ /ActionLine/ - Spring 2008

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*Fair trade certification appeals to* socially and environmentally

conscious people. A sound, transparent certification process educates

and guides all of us who care about poverty alleviation, gender equity,

workplace safety, abolition of child labor, and the encouragement of

sound environmental practices.

 

But among these many progressive, admirable goals, one is missing. Why

not also recognize the interests of other conscious animals? If we seek

to protect the environment, why not also respect the animals who inhabit

it? If we question the use of harmful chemicals, why not confront the

emissions of methane, waste runoff, and other dangerous effects of

animal agribusiness? Why not set a standard, based on pure vegetarian

principles, that prohibits commodities derived wholly or partly from

animals -- beings who are never workers by choice?

 

This proposal is a logical extension of the established Fair Trade

standards, and would be welcomed by the health-conscious and humane --

people who usually support fairly traded goods already.

 

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) is the umbrella

for over 20 initiatives in Europe, Canada, the United States, Japan,

Australia and New Zealand.[1] TransFair, the U.S. certifier and FLO

member, does not certify any products derived from animals.[2] (Some of

its commodities, such as vanilla and cocoa, may, however, find their way

into dairy chocolates or ice creams.) A visit to Global Exchange’s

online fair-trade store reveals that other FLO members do certify

products derived from animals, such as honey and soccer balls made from

leather.[3]

 

*Recently, we noted Global Exchange’s name endorsing *a bid to put

industrial husbandry adjustments (for egg and pig-flesh processors) on

California’s November 2008 ballot. The changes sought through this

initiative are largely cosmetic, but if they were substantial, they

would expand the space taken up for animal farming, which is

ecologically problematic. As our population grows, animal farming

spreads -- bringing deforestation, water pollution, heavy chemical use,

and the killing of predators to preserve ranchers’ wealth.

 

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And what would the animals consider fair trade, if they could vote?

Surely, trade that doesn’t turn them into commodities.

 

So Friends of Animals legal director Lee Hall wrote to Global Exchange,

expressing concern with their listing as an endorser.

 

Then, through the lively electronic political journal Dissident Voice

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4607bea7fa00d7bc4 & url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dissidentvoice.org%2F2007%2F11%2Fballot-b\

ox-balderdash-californians-for-humane-farms%2F>,

Lee discussed the issue with Nora Kramer, the Bay Area coordinator of

the ballot campaign. Lee wrote, “I have the greatest respect for Global

Exchange and everyone who makes Global Exchange work...It is because of

my respect that I wrote to Global Exchange to convey the opinion that

the trade in animals is not fair trade.”

 

In December 2007, we received word from executive director Kirsten

Moller that Global Exchange had not endorsed the “Californians for

Humane Farms” ballot initiative. The name Global Exchange was then

deleted from the campaign’s endorsement page.

 

*This is an issue to watch.* It’s time to make it clear that the route

to fairness involves showing people how to cook and plan enjoyable

gatherings without doing so at the expense of other animals.

 

Fair trade organizations are always considering new commodities for

certification. To ask TransFair USA to continue to avoid certifying

animal products, write to:

 

Paul Rice, CEO

TransFair USA

1500 Broadway, Suite 400

Oakland , CA 94612, United States.

 

To ask FLO to consider altering its certification standards to exclude

animal products, write to:

 

Barbara Fiorito, Chair

Board of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International

Bonner Talweg 177

53129, Bonn, Germany.

 

*The message to convey is:* Together with Friends of Animals, we view

animal agribusiness as degrading to human health, other living beings,

equitable distribution of resources, and the environment. We support

meaningful work for people, without the commodification of other animals.

 

*Footnotes*

 

1. Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International; available:

www.fairtrade.net/about_us.html (as visited 14 Jan. 2008).

 

2. See TransFair USA, “Fair Trade Products”; available:

www.transfairusa.org/content/shop/products.php (as visited 14 Jan. 2008).

 

3. Global Exchange; available: www.globalexchange.org (as visited 14

Jan. 2008).