Cadbury responds to badger

Recently I've used Tearfunds' Facebook app Superbadger to email various companies and governments about social justice issues. Even if I'm not 100% confident on the issues I want the company/government to think and respond. I believe in Fairtrade (although not all my readers agree as you can see here) as a means of redressing some imbalances in our trading system, 'honest weights and measures' in the Bible so this is a piece of good news.

I don't agree and I'm glad to say Cadbury's don't either. Here's their response to a recent badger...

"We are happy to confirm that Cadbury has extended its commitment to Fairtrade. Three more markets are to receive Fairtrade certification for Cadbury's flagship brand, Cadbury Dairy Milk, by early 2010: Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

This announcement will bring the independent FAIRTRADE Mark into millions more homes in five of Cadbury's key chocolate markets. Due to our distribution chain, bars will also be available in Japan!

Cadbury celebrated the arrival of the first bars to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark into UK shops in July. Through Fairtrade certifying Cadbury Dairy Milk in five key chocolate markets, Fairtrade cocoa sales from Ghana will be quadrupled, from 5,000 to 20,000 tonnes.

Cadbury and the Fairtrade Foundation are proud to be working together to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy Milk builds on the work of the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership's investment in sustainable cocoa growing communities and Cadbury's long heritage of social responsibility. You can find out more about this by visiting: http://www.cadbury.com

Cadbury estimate that by 2018 it will have made a demonstrable difference to the lives of around half a million farmers in Cadbury’s cocoa markets. You can also learn more about our approach to ethical and sustainable sourcing and Cadbury's broader sustainability commitments by visiting www.dearcadbury.com. To follow the development of the Fairtrade story, you can also visit our dedicated blog site at:http://www.cadburydairymilk.typepad.com

If we can provide you with any additional information about the Fairtrade certification of Cadbury Dairy Milk please do not hesitate to contact me on +44 1895 615011 or at alison.ward@cadbury.com.

We are always delighted to her from Tearfund supporters and we thank you for once again contacting us to share your views. My family are loyal Tearfund supporters and so I have followed your developments for many years!

Yours truly

Alison Ward
Global Head of Corporate Responsibility
Cadbury"

Well done Cadbury's!