The Co-operative movement has also taken a lead in ethical consumerism and is now launching its own brand of fairly traded tea. But almost all supermarkets and many other retailers are becoming increasingly involved. In March, the Ethical Trading Initiative was launched. This is an alliance of business, non-governmental organisations and trades unions which works to further promote ethical trading through the establishment of codes of conduct for the sourcing of goods. It is also exploring ethical or social labelling of products and promotes ways of bringing the issues further into the mainstream.
Globalisation brings with it dangers.
It is important that the fruits of a globalising world economy are not unfairly distributed. It is important that the producers in the poorest countries are not exploited through their cheap labour or the degradation of the environment. But globalisation also brings opportunities. We are now asking business to behave in a more socially responsible manner and good companies realise that ethical business makes good business sense. The power of this movement to make a real difference to the lives of poor people is immense.