Fairtrade International (FLO) and Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) jointly announced today that FTUSA is resigning its membership in FLO, effective December 31, 2011. The joint statement said “…as we look to the future, we recognize that we have different perspectives on how best to achieve this common mission.” The dominant certifier in the US market, administering the “Fair Trade Certified” mark, has been a key member of FLO since FTUSA was founded as Transfair USA in 1998. FLO will have around 25 other country’s labeling initiatives stay as members, including Fairtrade Canada.The short announcement also says that “this transition planning and the consequent operational changes will take some time for both parties to develop, but we are announcing the decision as early as possible out of respect for our many stakeholders. Further communication will follow in the coming weeks.”
More at joint FLO-FTUSA separation announcement.
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