Policy resources archive

Reports

• The New Trade Battleground: the WTO, EU and Economic Partnership Agreements (September 2003)
  How the EU is using regional trade deals to push through measures that have been rejected at the WTO.
• Traidcraft Plc Case Study (November 2002)
  Outlines the model of Traidcraft Plc as a social business and assesses Traidcraft plc's social accounts, relationship with stakeholders and the fair trade standards which Traidcraft plc works to.
• Which way to Market? (April 2000)
  Examines the practical implications helping poor producers to access markets. How can producers with no bargaining power avoid exploitation and how do we ensure that the increased trade helps to end poverty. Executive Summary

Fact Sheets

• Fair Trade provides models for Corporate Social Responsibility (September 2003)

• Multifibre Arrangement (December 2002)

Other resources

• Traidcraft submission to the International Development Select Committee post-Cancun inquiry (September 2003)

• Response to EU Commission Communication - Modernising Company Law and Enhancing Corporate Governance in the European Union (September 2003)
  This response to the communication advocates that whilst may of the proposed changes are welcomed the EU still needs to strengthen the accountability of companies to their shareholders and stakeholders (Third Parties).

• Submission to The Operating and Financial Review (OFR) Working Group on Materiality: Consultation Document (September 2003)
  This submission argues that company directors should be consider their economic, social and environmental impacts as well as reflecting the concerns of their stakeholders.

• Comments on Commission of European Securities Regulators' Level 2 Implementing Measures for the Prospectus Directive (February 2003)
  Traidcraft highlights their belief that the European Commission and CESR have pursued a narrow and short sighted approach to the Prospectus and related listing directives. To redress this Traidcraft proposes implementing measures which will ensure the EU listing regime entrenches investor focus on the short term, sets minimum standards of disclosure that fall behind best practice at other exchanges.

• IDSC Enquiry into Trade and Development: Aspects of the Doha Agenda (January 2003)

• Response to Modernising Company Law White Paper (November 2002)

• IDSC Enquiry into the Food Crisis in Southern Africa (October 2002)

• Response to Financial Services Authority's Discussion Paper 14: Review of the Listing Regime (October 2002)
  Traidcraft seeks to demonstrate the positive contribution that business can have on poverty alleviation in the developing world. However in order for this to take place it is vital for companies to be open, transparent and accountable, particularly with regard to their significant environmental, social, ethical and economic impacts.

• IDSC Enquiry into the Commonwealth Development Corporation (July 2002)

• Submission to the European Parliament on the EC CSR Green Paper (March 2002)
  This report highlights the weaknesses in the final version of the European Commission's proposals on CSR. It recommends that CSR should not be seen solely as a voluntary initiative but requires a strong regulatory framework in order to deliver improvements in corporate behaviour. It examines current limitations in existing CSR practice and highlights the experience of Fair Trade as a model for socially responsible supply chain management.