Use of ethical contracting for Cardiff County Council Services
21st July 2005
Question: County Councillor Howe
Will this Administration be continuing and extending the policy initiated
by the last Administration by taking steps to ensure that contracts for
services such as tea, coffee, vending machines etc, issued by the Council
are entered into only where the contractor is ethically sound?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
I assume your question relates to the Fairtrade Foundation and dealing
directly with producers and importers who are registered with the
international body.
Sales across the 18 countries that license the FAIRTRADE brand are
growing at around 20% each year and the market share is increasing in
several mainstream products. The Council is pleased to continue to
support the international trade initiative especially when contracts for
supplies and goods are due for renewal.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Howe
My question was not specifically referring to the FAIRTRADE issue but
the matter of the Council engaging contracts with contractors who are
ethically sound. It has been brought to my attention that the water
coolers, are in fact provided by Nestlé, who have some dubious and
unethical practices in third World Countries. They breach International
codes by encouraging breastfeeding mothers to use formula milk, which
in many cases is detrimental to the health of the babies. Would the
Executive Member give a commitment to review this contract and any
other contract where there are ethical issues?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
We will look into this. However, I am aware that with some contracts,
such as Kenco, we are locked into contracts. We are however, actively
looking at other FAIRTRADE providers.
Comments