NationStates Jolt Archive

Fair Trade Coffee Act
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.


Category: Social Justice Strength: Strong Proposed by: Madrigals
Description: PREAMBLE: The intent of the UN rules governing proposals is to insure that substantial issues are discussed. It is entirely just and proper that this should be so. Similarly, the intent of the Fair Trade Coffee Act is to encourage sustainable growth in developping economies.

Fair Trade Coffee Act
WHEREAS neoliberal polices have directly contributed to social injustices around the world

AND WHEREAS Rich countries dump subsidised produce on developing countries, driving down the price of local produce - with devastating effects on the local economy. This unlevel playing field has made many poor farmers even poorer, or forced them off their land completely.

AND WHEREAS Fair trade practices allow for an increase in bean quality as well, it encourages 3rd world countries to rely less on aid, as they can effectively develop their own industries which invest in communities.

LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT each member nation of the United Nations purchase coffee from certified Fair Trade Coffee producers

Approvals: 0

Status: Lacking Support (requires 133 more approvals)

Voting Ends: Thu Dec 18 2003

for more information, go to www.maketradefair.com

The Commonwealth is deeply concerned with the continuing imbalance in trade between North and South, developed and developing. The agricultural policies of wealthy, industrialized nations are simply this: We subsidize massive MNCs but developing nations may not subsidize local farmers. ADM and Cargill grow richer, Juan Valdez continues to wander about Latin America with a burro. The Commonwealth supports fair trade and thanks the sponsor of this proposal.

The Community of Londana will be supporting this proposal.

The Holy Republic of Fried Chikistan believe that the fair trade proposal would be seen as an underminding of many of the U.N.'s nations taxes, keeping in mind that not every nation is a capitalist. It is known for a fact that The Holy Republic of Fied Chikistan imposes a modet 40% terrif on any nation wanting to import domestic products into the country, and infact after reading this resolution fears that it may have adverse affects as to which is it being propositioned for. Many of the smaller nations who have only a select few produce farmers would be driven out of any market which might be available to them including domestic market because they might be unable to achieve this fair market status. The Holy Empire of Fried Chikistan would appriciate if the delegate from Madrigals would outline any premiliminary or basic requirements which one nation, or a particular company within a nation would have to fulfill to achieve this fair trade status.

The Holy Republic of Fried Chikistan believe that the fair trade proposal would be seen as an underminding of many of the U.N.'s nations taxes, keeping in mind that not every nation is a capitalist. It is known for a fact that The Holy Republic of Fied Chikistan imposes a modet 40% terrif on any nation wanting to import domestic products into the country, and infact after reading this resolution fears that it may have adverse affects as to which is it being propositioned for. Many of the smaller nations who have only a select few produce farmers would be driven out of any market which might be available to them including domestic market because they might be unable to achieve this fair market status. The Holy Empire of Fried Chikistan would appriciate if the delegate from Madrigals would outline any premiliminary or basic requirements which one nation, or a particular company within a nation would have to fulfill to achieve this fair trade status.

First off, I would like to thank those who have taken the time to look at this proposal, and especially to those who voted for it. Fair trade coffee is actually geared towards helping smaller countries compete with large transnational corporations. What it does is eliminate the middle man.

Normal free trade coffee pays the transnational corporation exhorborant prices . The transnational corporation then pays its workers next to nothing. This disparity ends up as provite

Fair trade coffee has the buyer (you, hopefully) giving less money than they would to the transnational and giving it directly to a collective of farmers. In this way everyone benefits.

In order to be certified fair trade, the farmers must be paid living wages instead of market wages. This allows them to earn a decent living and vastly improves the economy of LDC's. Note that the buyer is not in fact spending more money but less. The money that you would have given to the transnational corporation is now going to a group of farmers. As well, the farmers must reinvest the profit made into the town they live in by funding schools, healthcare etc. Workers are treated justly and not subject to the sweatshop standards that free trade imposes. An independent non government organization monitors these transactions to ensure that the coffee is indeed being made under fair trade standards.

Providing farmers were willing to produce to sustain themselves (and not to sustain a MNC) and a government was willing to give its money to its people, there is no reason why individual states cannot switch to fair trade practices. In fact, the Rogue Nationof Madrigals encourages it.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to study this bill and vote for it. Already, almost 10 delegates have endorsed it and it isn't even 24 hours old yet. Those who have, please encourage other like minded regional delegates to do the same. It is our duty as ethical minded leaders to encourage sustainable developoment for farmers in 3rd world countries. Say no to neo liberalism imperialism. Say yes to Fair trade
Another good website for those interested in alternative solutions to neo-liberalism as well as viewpoints you wouldn't see on Fox news, go to www.zmag.org

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to study this bill and vote for it. Already, almost 10 delegates have endorsed it and it isn't even 24 hours old yet. Those who have, please encourage other like minded regional delegates to do the same. It is our duty as ethical minded leaders to encourage sustainable developoment for farmers in 3rd world countries. Say no to neo liberalism imperialism. Say yes to Fair trade
Another good website for those interested in alternative solutions to neo-liberalism as well as viewpoints you wouldn't see on Fox news, go to www.zmag.org

You can just tax all imports to cover it.

everyone who supports thsi bill should also support the responsible globalization bill, as they both strive for a more equitable world.

Fair Trade Coffee Act
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.


Category: Social Justice Strength: Strong Proposed by: Madrigals
Description: PREAMBLE: The intent of the UN rules governing proposals is to insure that substantial issues are discussed. It is entirely just and proper that this should be so. Similarly, the intent of the Fair Trade Coffee Act is to encourage sustainable growth in developping economies.

Fair Trade Coffee Act
WHEREAS neoliberal polices have directly contributed to social injustices around the world

AND WHEREAS Rich countries dump subsidised produce on developing countries, driving down the price of local produce - with devastating effects on the local economy. This unlevel playing field has made many poor farmers even poorer, or forced them off their land completely.

AND WHEREAS Fair trade practices allow for an increase in bean quality as well, it encourages 3rd world countries to rely less on aid, as they can effectively develop their own industries which invest in communities.

LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT each member nation of the United Nations purchase coffee from certified Fair Trade Coffee producers

Approvals: 0

Status: Lacking Support (requires 133 more approvals)

Voting Ends: Thu Dec 18 2003

for more information, go to www.maketradefair.com

We can't support this. We will deal with dumping on a case-by-case basis. What you're suggesting is a coffee monopoly, a coffee cartel. What is there to stop the "Fair Trade Coffee Producers" from raising prices if the resolution is adopted ?

We can't support this. We will deal with dumping on a case-by-case basis. What you're suggesting is a coffee monopoly, a coffee cartel. What is there to stop the "Fair Trade Coffee Producers" from raising prices if the resolution is adopted ?

There is nothing to stop them raising prices, however, if this proposal is not adopted then millions of people will continue to be exploited.

We can't support this. We will deal with dumping on a case-by-case basis. What you're suggesting is a coffee monopoly, a coffee cartel. What is there to stop the "Fair Trade Coffee Producers" from raising prices if the resolution is adopted ?

There is nothing to stop them raising prices, however, if this proposal is not adopted then millions of people will continue to be exploited.

Actually, from what I hear they're being paid quite well (if you use the rest of the country as a benchmark.) And if this passes, you're basically going to exploit the whole world with high coffee prices. Then coffee will turn into a high-priced luxury good, and the world will be worse off as a result. As for


the farmers must reinvest the profit made into the town they live in by funding schools, healthcare etc.


The workday of the farmer is practically from dawn to dusk, where would he have time to invest in anything ? :)