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Fairtrade begins at home

The Church of England made headlines recently when it told the Competition Commission that the pursuit of cheap food coupled with the power of the big supermarkets is putting farming livelihoods at risk. Debate is urgently needed on the effects of retailers extracting 'below cost' supply agreements from farmers and their effect on a sustainable and flourishing agricultural sector.

This call for wider debate comes in Fairtrade Begins at Home: Supermarkets and the Effect on British Farming Livelihoods.

The report, by the Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG), responds to concerns from members of the General Synod, the Church's 'Parliament', about the doubtful viability of many farming enterprises given the squeeze on farm-gate prices.

The report can be read at www.cofe.anglican.org/info/ethical.