Fairtrade Policy

The Union Notes

1. Fairtrade ensures better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
2. The Scottish Government has ambitions for Scotland to become a fair-trade nation. Some of the measurable criteria for them to achieve include:
• To increase awareness of Fair Trade and surrounding issues
• To increase the sale of Fair Trade products
• To contribute to greater trade justice
• To engender a meaningful commitment to Fairtrade from Parliament and executive bodies
3. The Union and the University has Fairtrade accreditation by the Fairtrade Foundation.
4. That a summary of this Fairtrade criteria are:
• The Union and the University both create a Fairtrade policy.
• Fairtrade products are made available in all campus shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
• Fairtrade foods are served in all meetings hosted by the University and the Union management.
• There is a commitment to campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption across campus through promotional events activities and materials.
• To set up a Fairtrade steering group, including representatives of the University, the Union and a relevant student society representative.

The Union Believes

1. Fairtrade should be supported in order to enhance the standing and reputation of Heriot-Watt University, highlight unjust international trade rules and to provide a practical alternative to farmers in the global south.
2. By being a Fairtrade institution and fulfilling the ‘five goals’ set out by the Fairtrade Foundation we contribute to helping global communities in the south work their out of poverty.
3. It is the responsibility of the Union to increase the awareness of Fairtrade products in and beyond the Union.

The Union Resolves

1. To uphold the five goals set out by the Fairtrade Foundation in order to maintain our Fairtrade University Status.
2. To work with the University to ensure that it fulfils its commitments to meeting the five goals set out by the Fairtrade foundation.
3. To support representatives from the Union to sit on and work with the University Fairtrade Steering Group.
4. To actively campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption across campus through promotional events activities and materials.