Fairtrade

Aid organisations were among the first to promote fair trade by enabling third world producers to sell their goods - usually handicrafts - directly to the Western consumer, often in their charity shops

The first Fairtrade consumer guarantee - the Max Havelaar label - was launched in the Netherlands in 1989.
Today there are labelling initiatives in 17 countries, mainly throughout Europe and North America.

Brands have gone from strength to strength: now on offer are fair trade roses from Kenya, footballs from Pakistan and organic chocolate spreads, as well as coffee, tea and vegetables.

A packet of tea with the fair trade premium may cost 40p more than other brands, but many of us happily pay the extra in the knowledge that tea farmers in the developing world are not being exploited.

So fairtrade products are sold because people seem to be ready to make efforts in order to help those who are in the need... But how can we be sure the extra price we pay is really redistributed?