As the baton is passed from New Zealand to Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC2015) hosts England, citizens in both nations have come together to call for the 2011 tournament to be “the last ever unfair Rugby World Cup”. Supporters of the Fairtrade London and Fairtrade Auckland initiatives are calling upon the organisers of RWC15 and the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) commit to ensuring that as many products as possible are sustainable and fairly traded. Such a move would benefit small-scale producers and their families in developing countries, and allow rugby fans to make positive purchasing choices.
Kirsten Morrell, singer and ambassador for the Fairtrade Auckland campaign, said: “Our city has loved hosting many of the top matches in the Rugby World Cup, and of course the right team won! However, our celebrations would have been even sweeter if we could be sure that the tournament had been a fair trade one: fair for players, fair for officials, fair for spectators … and most importantly fair for the people who produce the merchandise, the catering and the sports equipment.”
“Like the Olympics in London, the Rugby World Cup tournament organisers should insist that suppliers and venues source Fairtrade certified products, so that farmers and workers in developing countries are not exploited or cheated in producing the goods for our finals. I challenge England to rise to the occasion in the Rugby World Cup 2015 and make it a fair tournament.”
London, home of Twickenham and several other grounds confirmed as hosting Rugby World Cup matches, is already leading the way. The organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games have made a pioneering commitment that all tea, coffee, sugar and bananas served at official Olympic venues will be Fairtrade. Athletes, officials, the media and spectators will all be consuming Fairtrade-certified drinks and snacks at the Games in London in July-August 2012.
Malcolm Clark, Campaign Co-ordinator of Fairtrade London, urged the World Cup organisers and the RFU to make a similar commitment. He said: “It’s a fair cop, the best rugby team at the World Cup won, and that was the hosts. Congratulations to New Zealand, and to cities like Auckland for putting on such a show. As a keen rugby fan I’d love England to be able to emulate the All Black’s achievement and in four years time win as host nation.”
“However, there are also four years for the organisers to match the best practice example set by the Olympics and put in place sustainable sourcing commitments. If the Olympics – with its 14 million meals, served across 40 locations – can do it, so can the Rugby World Cup. And we’d like to see the RWC2015 organisers go further: widening out the sourcing standards to include Fairtrade rugby balls, Fairtrade cotton in uniforms and kits, and more Fairtrade food and drink products being served. Let’s make Rugby World Cup 2015 in England a fair tournament for all.”
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
There are now over 1,000 Fair Trade Towns (and Cities) in 21 countries across five major continents. www.fairtradetowns.org
London was officially declared a Fairtrade City in 2008. 22 London Boroughs are now Fairtrade Boroughs with two more on course to achieve that status by early 2012. Fairtrade London is the initiative which brings together the many individual supporters, schools, universities, councils, businesses, faith groups and community groups supporting Fairtrade in their local area and citywide. www.fairtradelondon.org.uk
With the New Zealand general election approaching, Make Auckland a Fair Trade City (MAFT) is working hard to make Aucklanders’ votes count, by supporting local Fair Trade business, putting people first, fostering sustainable business relationships with their neighbours in the Pacific. www.fairtradeauckland.org
For details about the London 2012 Food Vision standard, go to http://www.sustainweb.org/foodlegacy/london_2012_food_vision/
For details of the new Food Legacy programme, inspired by the healthy and sustainable food standards adopted for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, go to: www.foodlegacy.org
The Mayor has already committed City Hall to adopting the London 2012 Food Vision standards, as have the Metropolitan Police, LFEPA (London Fire) and Transport for London.
Source: Fairtrade London
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