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Firstly, thanks More4 for repeating this program, and thanks to all the people in making it and getting it aired.
Although depressing as hell, at least I have the comfort of a typical western lifestyle while watching it. Even though I have the typical western lifestyle, the overwhelming feeling of being a very small part in world trade and not being able to help makes me all the more eager to post a response.
I do buy fair trade on as many goods as I can, especially tea(clipper usually), and although not a great coffee drinker, I do buy cafe direct when I do get the odd jar. I just hope many more people in the UK watched this program and will consider buying fair trade goods, and I hope at least one ethical company is considering dealing with this Ethiopian farmers cooperative. They clearly produce very good coffee, and it would seem a very obvious deal to strike, as obvious as why the major companies wish to carry on the way they are. We seem to be keeping countries like this in a desperate situation, bailing them out with aid at a fraction of what we should be paying for their high quality products, again no doubt to line the pockets of some already rich westerners, be them US or UK.
We as consumers need to invest in fair trade products more, although it may cost us a fraction more per jar, and we need clipper/fair trade to expand their lines if at all possible. As well as the likes of Coop buying more, any company that wants to get involved with fair trade, and for the benefit of those they trade with rather than fighting for a share of the fair trade market like weve seen from a few of the big names.
By the lack of replies, I guess no one watched, although I hope everyone has instead just changed their brand of coffee this week. The brands that people should avoid for a while were all listed in the program, and all declined an interview as is their way. Make them reconsider their choices by buying ethical. Even the people in the program said it directly, they dont want constant aid, they want a fair price for a product that sells very well indeed.
Same old businesses, same old abuse.
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