|
|
 |
IFOAM and Social Justice |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The interests of the parties involved in
Organic Production and Trade are not always the same- at least under
short term considerations -. IFOAM brings all those parties under one
umbrella and considers it as a challenge to develop suitable tools for
social justice in Organic Agriculture. Considering social aspects can
bring additional costs (as well for social inspections or audits), they
should be balanced in the end by the economic reward of all market
partners.
Within the IFOAM Basic Standards
The
IFOAM Basic Standards for Organic Production and Processing (IBS)
include since 1996 a chapter about social justice (IBS Chapter 8),
which is composed out of 1. General Principal, 2. Recommendations and
3. Standards. The recommendations refer mainly to conventions as
defined by the International Labour Organisations (ILO). Within the
standards part it is clearly indicated that production methods, which
violate human rights cannot be certified as organic. Download here: Chapter 8 IFOAM Basic Standards.pdf
To develop standards which are “inspectable”
The Social Accountability in Sustainable Agriculture provided insights into the social auditing methods and experiences of SAI, FLO, SAN
and IFOAM. Based on this experience the coordination & cooperation
with the social and fair trade movement is increasing. The IFOAM Accredited Certification Bodies are
currently harmonizing their approach in regard to a 'sample check list
for social standards'. The proposed methodology defines a minimum
compliance with a certain number of social criteria while it leaves
space for continuous improvement.
Beyond standards
How social justice is defined between the farm gate and the consumers table?
Code of Ethics – inspiring not only IFOAM affiliates
The IFOAM Organic Trade Forum has started to discuss a Code of Ethics
for all IFOAM affiliates to be signed while joining IFOAM. The
intention of this code is to raise awareness within the Organic
community by signing a self commitment to follow ethical principles.
IFOAM is constantly updating the information on this website. Comments or suggestions contact the Platform Coordinator
Back to the Arguments for Organic Page
Back to the Growing Organic page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
