Government and fairtrade

I think we should better not forget the role of the government, it  is elementary when you want to reach all these  benefits like poverty reduction, community development,  improvement of environmental health and consumer awareness.  I doubt it if fairtrade would exist without this support of the government?

What the most of us probably don’t know is that the government pumps millions into fairtrade, however, only the multinationals make big money by selling this fairtrade products. Would these  multinationals also cooperate at the fairtrade program without the governmental support?’

First of all, I think companies would continue the fair-trade when government suddenly stops donating money. The fairtrade brand is to important for their image nowadays. Furthermore, I have to notice that the government probably never will stop to subsidize fairtrade organizations, it actually boosts their image as well. Finally the best solution might be that the government gives loans in stead of subsidying the companies projects. By that way the government makes fairtrade possible whitout investing money.

Cédric De Prol
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/press_office/press_releases_and_statements/october_2009/uk_government_announces_12_million_investment_for_fairtrade_on_15th_anniversary_of_the_fairtrade_mark.aspx