Betsy Reed

Fair trade – it's more than bananas and chocolate

Betsy Reed from Wyoming in the USA was recently appointed Scotland’s Fair Trade Nation Development Officer for the new Fair Trade Forum. She talks about the importance of fair trade and making Scotland one of the first fair trade nations...

"Fair trade is the idea that the things that we buy and the way that we live can have a positive impact on producers in developing countries. We may never meet them, but somebody makes everything we buy. Fair trade aims to help those people get a good wage and live in decent conditions." 

Based in Edinburgh, Betsy has lived in Scotland for four years.

"I came here to do my Masters degree in Nationalism Studies at the University of Edinburgh in 2003 and decided I wanted to stay. There was a something about the city – you feel like it’s home the first time you come here."

In July 2006, the Scottish Government joined forces with the Welsh government to draw up a detailed set of criteria to enable them to become 'fair trade' nations.

So what does becoming a 'fair trade' nation involve?

"To achieve fair trade status, amongst other things,  100% of local authorities have to have active fair trade groups working toward fair trade status, 60% of universities and colleges working towards fair trade status and 75% of the population buying fair trade products each year.

"I think my role is really pioneering. My hopes for the job are to bring people in who haven’t been conscious of fair trade and create a public awareness that this is the right thing to do, and not just a trend. But this is only the starting point to make Scotland take pride in buying fair trade products.          

"It's more than just buying a bunch of bananas or chocolate – it's about educating yourself.  It really surprised me how many goods can be fair trade - components in computers – anything which is made by someone could potentially be fair-trade."         

Betsy believes becoming a fair trade nation would be great for Scotland.

"I think it would boost the general fair trade activism. People in Scotland would see what they do really matters – it’s a way of Scotland showing it can act on its own."  

What can people living in Scotland do to help?

"There are many fair-trade activities going on and international development agencies which do good work. You can donate, go and visit a fair trade producer – take an ethical holiday – or ask in a café if they sell fair trade tea. If you ask there will be a demand for it!"

"We need to understand that it’s worth a few extra pence to help those producers get a good wage."

To find out more about fair trade, you can contact Betsy Reed on tel: 07512 570 986 or email: fairtradescotland@gmail.com

Related links

• Fair Trade Foundation
• Oxfam Scotland
• Scottish Government