Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO)
@fairtradeftao
Speaking out for #FairTrade & Trade Justice | repost ≠ endorsement 🌐
🗳️ Adopted! @agri.europarl.europa.eu's vote is a key step in updating the EU Organic Regulation. The proposed changes on Group of Operators are welcome news for farmers & cooperatives. We hope for swift adoption by the plenary in September & an ambitious political agreement in upcoming trilogues.
JUST OUT! 📢 The World Fair Trade Organization has launched three new toolkits to support artisan producers & #FairTrade enterprises in navigating: 📜 EU compliance under new regulations ♻️ sustainability and circular fashion 🤝 brand–producer collaboration Check them out 👉 wfto.com/toolkits/g2f...
The FTAO emphasised the importance of clear guidance, support, realistic timelines & stronger engagement through EU Delegations. Pushing for company engagement to address forced labour cases, instead of 'cut and run' will also be key. 🙌 Thanks to all participants & @feps-europe.eu for hosting us.
A pleasure to convene an expert meeting with SOLIDAR on the implementation of the EU Forced Labour Regulation. Experts, trade unions, CSOs & policymakers exchanged views on its strong potential & the importance of effective implementation to drive transparency & accountability across supply chains.
Sustainable production methods play a key role in reducing emissions across #FairTrade supply chains. When producers earn a living income and work in decent conditions, they're better able to invest in sustainable practices and protect the environment. Learn more ➡️ fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/244
🚨 What does it take to make supply chains fairer, more accountable and resilient? Join us with @eccjorg.bsky.social on how the EU’s UTP Directive and CSDDD fit together in practice. 📆 Tuesday, 14 July 🕑 14:00–15:00 CEST 🖥️ Online Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/24107a...
The biggest barrier to using the complaint mechanism of the EU Directive against unfair trading practices is the fear of retaliation. The EU must make it safe for all suppliers to raise concerns. 👉 Our recommendations for a Directive that truly protects farmers: fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/2233
If you want to learn more about the landscape of EU policies and good practices at national and sub-national level on sustainable food consumption, check out our publication 👇 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/253
Consumers play a key role in advancing sustainable food systems, but they need ambitious policies that support systemic change. 🥗🛒 It was a pleasure to present key findings alongside Heidelberg University, analysing 10 years of EU policy enabling (or slowing) sustainable food choices.
We are looking forward to World of Coffee 2026! ☕🧑🌾 Together with the International Coffee Organization (ICA), we'll be bringing EU policymakers, embassies from coffee-producing countries and producer organisations together to explore how policy can help advance living incomes in the coffee sector.
It was great to be at the #EUFoodJusticeForum! 🍽️🍎 Our Senior Project & Policy Officer, Paola Plaku, moderated a workshop on rights-based approaches to EU food policy, including public procurement and the ECI on the #RightToFood. 🤝 Thank you to the organisers for having us!
🍃 The climate crisis is not just an environmental emergency. It's rooted in inequality, unfair trade & broken economic systems. Small-scale producers need fair conditions to be part of the solution. When the system is fair, sustainability follows. #WorldEnvironmentDay
JUST PUBLISHED! 🚨 The climate crisis is rooted in inequality & unfair trade. Our new guide shows how #FairTrade is central to climate resilience & why we can't have climate justice without trade justice. 👉 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/244
20+ European organisations are calling on EU policymakers to ensure that Europe's agricultural transition remains science-based, democratically governed and grounded in the public interest. 🌱 A credible transition must strengthen social & environmental ambition. 👉 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/245
From food to textiles, public purchases represent €2.5 trillion annually, influencing which products, business models & values are rewarded across the Single Market. 50+ orgs. demand a Public Procurement Act that delivers for the economy, society & environment. 📬 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/243
Help shape the future of #FairTrade 📣 The FTAO & Northumbria University are offering a fully funded 3-year Collaborative Doctoral Research Studentship. 📍 Brussels/UK-based (candidates must meet UK residency requirements) 📩 Apply by 30 June More details: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Last week, FTAO's @virginiaenssle.bsky.social was at the #IIForoCaféFairtrade in Perú, exchanging with producers, cooperatives and experts on the current challenges and future of the coffee sector.☕ Thank you to all participants for the great isnights & to CLAC for the great organisation!
As the EU moves forward with new sustainability requirements for textiles under the #ESPR, the transition must be not only greener, but also fair & inclusive. 🧑🌾🤝🍃 📕 Read the #FairTrade Movement's recommendations for meaningful engagement with third-country actors: fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/241
What a pleasure to mark World Fair Trade Day with the European Parliament's Fair Trade Working Group.🧑🌾🤝🌱 Thank you to @catarina-europe.bsky.social & @bernd-lange.bsky.social forr hosting this timely discussion on the role of the EU's external action in implementing sustainability regulations.
The Deforestation Regulation is moving ahead and that's good news for forests. But smallholder farmers must not be left behind.🌳🧑🌾 Now is the time to focus on implementation: 🛠️ Technical & financial support 🤝 Shared responsibility 🗣️ Inclusion in decisions Our views➡️ fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/238
EU Textile Labelling rules are outdated. The “Made in…” label does not reflect today's global textile value chains or consumer demand for transparency. Without EU harmonisation: 🌍 No common origin definition 🧩 Fragmented enforcement 🏭 Legal uncertainty 👤 Misleading info Revision is needed now.
Last week, we joined the @hdhl.bsky.social Conference alongside @iclei.org and colleagues of our CUES EU Project. 🥗🙌 Glad to see growing recognition of Sustainable Food Public Procurement as key lever for change in building healthier, more sustainable and fairer food environments in Europe.
We remember them and keep demanding policies that ensure this never happens again. 13 years after Rana Plaza, EU demand for cheap fashion fuels poverty wages, unsafe work & environmental harm. Time for fair rules👉 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/236-th... #FashionRevolutionWeek
What can the EU do for a fair & sustainable textile sector?🧶👚 The answer starts with stronger action. The EU is one of the world’s biggest textile markets, yet its demand still drives overproduction, pollution & exploitation globally. 👉 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/236 #FashionRevolutionWeek
Looking forward to celebrating @ieep.eu's 50th anniversary at tomorrow’s #Think2030 Conference. 🗣️ FTAO's @virginiaenssle.bsky.social will be joining a panel on how EU trade policy can better align with climate objectives, resource use & global sustainability while strengthening economic resilience.
Delighted to be at the launch of the EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition at the European Parliament. The FTAO is pleased to work hand in hand with partners across sectors to promote strong legislation that protects forests, upholds human rights & fosters resilient & sustainable value chains. 🌳🧑🌾
As the European Commission gears up to present a Delegated Act on Textiles under the #ESPR in 2027, the FTAO has submitted feedback to the JRC's preparatory study shaping that proposal, calling for stronger ambition for the future of the sector. Read our article 👇 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/233
A strong European Child Guarantee means every child can access nutritious, fair & sustainable school food. 🍏🍽️ With #SchoolFood4Change standards and strong #FairTrade criteria, school meals can drive real change. Our feedback to the Commission's public consultation👇 fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/232
Current #EUOrganic rules impose disproportionate administrative & financial costs on producers. The Commission's simplification proposal is a welcome step, but to truly deliver for smallholders & cooperatives it must go further. Our recommendations ➡️ fairtrade-advocacy.org/posts/231