UNICEF explains FYFFES deal

On August 6th 2009 I asked UNICEF some questions about their logo appearing on fyffes bananas.

Hi

I am concerned at seeing Unicef stickers on Fyffes bananas.

This seems to give them an ethical aura in competition with fair trade
bananas. I wonder has Unicef examined Fyffes record and how it their
policies impact on children in developing countries?


Could you please send me more information on the nature of your
agreement with Fyffes?

Does Unicef have a policy in support of fair trade?

Yours sincerely

Daniel Dunne

Today I received the following reply:

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Dear Mr. Dunne,

Thank you for your email; I welcome the opportunity to answer your queries. Sincere apologies for the long delay in this response, but I wanted to ensure all the information was correct and current.

Firstly, in relation to our examination of Fyffes as a suitable partner;

UNICEF Ireland adheres to an extensive process for corporate partnerships, which is managed at a global level. Fyffes were extensively screened both internally and by a third party prior to the launch of the partnership. This screening is ongoing, with an external review done on an annual basis.

We refer to Fyffes PLC Codes of Best Practice, membership of the ETI and the Global GAP accreditation as the precursors to our agreement to partnership consideration.

Fyffes Codes of Best Practice are designed to reduce the impact of agricultural production on the environment and to ensure safe working conditions and fair treatment for workers in compliance with internationally accepted labour standards and are subject to regular independent evaluation. Fyffes is also a member of the UK government-sponsored Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The ETI is an alliance of companies, non-governmental organisations and labour representative bodies. Its purpose is to promote and improve the conditions of workers worldwide. Fyffes is a founder member of Global GAP (formerly the European Retailers Environmental Protocol (EUREP)), established by major food retailers and their suppliers across Europe to address consumer concerns about food safety, environmental protection and worker welfare and to promote safe and sustainable agriculture. An extensive range of guidelines has been published on these matters, resulting in the Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global GAP). This standard establishes the minimum requirements to be met by growers of fruit and vegetables that supply European retailers. Fyffes first achieved Global GAP accreditation in 2003, in respect of the majority of the banana and pineapple farms from which it takes direct supplies, and this is renewed annually.

The extensive review of these policies and more was carried out by UNICEF’s partnership division in Geneva, and by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, a specialised financial information services and investment advisory firm rigorously assessing corporate environmental performance.

Fyffes PLC is also happy to answer any queries you may have with regard to their support of ethical trading, labour policy and their environmental policy.

In answer to your question on the nature of the agreement with Fyffes;

In June 2008, UNICEF Ireland signed a five year contract with Fyffes PLC, with a minimum commitment of half a million euros towards child survival. The Fyffes donation is classified as 'Philanthropic' a fixed donation from the company that is unrelated to the sale of bananas. In 2008 alone Fyffes committed 2.4% of their 2007 operating profits to aid UNICEF child survival programs, which is a significant ethical contribution.

The five year partnership funds UNICEF's work in Mozambique combating the spread of malaria amongst orphaned and other vulnerable children. It is currently estimated that about 36,000 children under the age of five will die each year (about one child every fifteen minutes) in the country as a result of malaria. The funds allow UNICEF to do the following in Mozambique:

• Advocate with all the concerned Ministries and stakeholders, and leverage resources (incl. LLINs, test kits, drugs) for under-five children and pregnant women, with special attention to vulnerable groups;


• Support the scaling up of some key malaria control interventions (e.g.: Artemisinin Combination Therapies, Intermittent Preventive Treatment, introduction of home-based treatment, etc.);


• Distribute at least 40,000 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nests per year to pregnant women, HIV-positive children under five, and orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) through health facilities in collaboration with NGOs and using a participatory communication toolkit to promote the correct use of the nets;


• Provide technical support for malaria prevention and control in Mozambique; and


• Support the implementation of the recently developed national communication strategy, through the utilisation of a strategic blend of integrated communication initiatives such as multimedia mobile units, community theatre and radio networks, to create a supportive/protective environment where individual behaviour changes are promoted and sustained.

Children who live to the age of five will usually gain some immunity and are less likely to die of malaria. However, when a woman becomes pregnant or a person suffers from a disease that compromises their immune system such as HIV/AIDS, malaria can result in death. HIV/AIDS has also become a major development threat in Mozambique with an estimated 1.8 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2007. Malaria places a huge economic burden on the country, not only in terms of the cost of curing and preventing the disease, but also when parents are unable to work and children fall behind in their studies at schools.

Thanks to Fyffes’ funding, in 2009 alone at least 80% of vulnerable population groups (HIV positive children, children under five years of age, pregnant women and orphaned and vulnerable children) in six provinces are ensured prompt malaria treatment and protection from malaria, through the distribution of mosquito nets, the support of health facilities and community projects. Fyffes has committed to supporting this programme until 2012.

In response to your third question;

Through comprehensive screening, independent evaluation and ongoing monitoring of all potential and existing partners UNICEF ensures that it works with organisations that legally meet all partnership criteria, and even more so, respect and uphold the core values of UNICEF’s work.

When sourcing activities for products and services, UNICEF applies the highest standards relating to social responsibility, ethical procurement, and safety & regulatory compliance. All items and products made available for sale by UNICEF comply with the most stringent globally applicable regulations and standards - respecting and upholding the core values of our work worldwide for children.

UNICEF works worldwide to give children the best possible start in life by making sure they have access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation, nutrition and early education. When children receive the best start in life, they are more likely to survive the risky first years, to grow healthily, to have fewer illnesses and to fully develop thinking, language, emotional and social skills – in sum, to survive and to thrive. UNICEF is a humanitarian organisation - we work to protect and improve the lives of vulnerable children all over the world. We do not receive funding from the United Nations and rely solely on voluntary contributions on the back of campaigns such as the philanthropic partnership with Fyffes.

I hope I have gone some way towards answering your queries. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards,

Emily Ross MIAPR NUJ

Corporate Partnership Manager UNICEF Ireland 33 Lower Ormond Quay Dublin 1

Tel: +353 1 8783000
www.unicef.ie

For every child Health, Education, Equality, Protection ADVANCE HUMANITY

posted by Daniel @ Monday, September 21, 2009