Fairtrade by Dr Mary Popple

The speaker, Mary Popple, chair of Just Trading Scotland (JTS), presented her talk on the impact of the current pandemic on smallholder farmers and producers in developing countries.  She explained that JTS is a not for profit, fair trade organisation set up to facilitate the import and distribution of products like rice, spreads, jams  and sauces from sub-Saharan Africa - including Eswatini, Kenya and Malawi - and from Sri  Lanka.  

 Covid-19 brought many challenges: here in Scotland because of the need for warehouse staff and volunteers to self-isolate or maintain social distancing; in Africa where the virus has been spreading but personal protective equipment is in short supply; and on the high seas where shipping has been held up by restrictions on entry to ports causing delays and damage to perishable goods. The lockdown here at home also led to a sudden drop in sales to schools and churches, which have been among JTS’s best customers.

There have also been some positive developments, including new customers, a third sector resilience grant from the government, and a successful appeal for funds for the provision, to farmers and others in the supply chain, of such items as hand sanitisers. The epidemic has highlighted just how interconnected we all are nowadays and Mary had been touched by the concern that one of their Malawian rice farmers, who contends with such daily chores as a 4 km walk to obtain firewood, had nevertheless shown for the impact of Covid on us, here in Scotland.

The suspension of schooling, because of the epidemic, in some parts of Africa may be life-changing for girls, as young as 13, who will be expected to marry and thus forfeit the chance to continue in education. Asked whether globalisation helps or hinders fair trade, Mary explained that, as practised by JTS, it helps because, for example, rice is a cash crop in Malawi and not a main constituent of the local diet. Alex Clark, himself a farmer, praised JTS for its aims and business organisation in his vote of thanks. JTS welcomes new customers for its products and information can be found at www.jts.co.uk