FairWild

The FairWild Foundation is an international organization that aims to provide a global framework for a sustainable and fair trading system for wild-collected plant ingredients and their products. It was established in 2008 in response to the major ecological and social challenges created by the ever-increasing demand for wild plant ingredients used in food, cosmetics, well-being, fashion and medicinal products.

The organization's programme of work is based around the FairWild Standard and certification system, a set of sustainability principles to guide the adoption of sustainable and fair trading practices through the value chain for wild-harvested products, and provision of assurance that sustainable practices for wild harvesting are being adhered to.

FairWild Standard

The current FairWild Standard version 3.0 was published in December 2023. The FairWild Standard 3.0 applies to businesses in the value chain for wild-harvested products that wish to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable collection, social responsibility, and ethical business practices. This Standard replaces Version 2.0 of the FairWild Standard (FairWild Foundation, 2010), incorporating the contributions and experience of the many stakeholders who have engaged in its implementation.

The purpose of the FairWild Standard is to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity through sustainable use. Together with its system of certification, it provides assurance of ethical and responsible practices across three dimensions of sustainability – ecological, socio-cultural, and business. Wild harvesting has the power to promote positive relationships between nature and people, and to preserve species in their natural and semi-natural landscapes and ecosystems.

Adherence to the FairWild Principles ensures that businesses in value chains for wild harvest ingredients act ethically and sustainably and make a positive contribution to the conservation of biodiversity within a range of different contexts and landscapes.

The FairWild Standard Principles:

1. Wild harvesting supports conservation of the collected species
2. Wild harvesting has a neutral or positive impact on the collection area and broader landscape
3. Human rights of wild collectors and workers are respected
4. Arrangements between operator, wild collectors, and workers are fair
5. Benefits and respect for customary rights for wild collectors and their communities are ensured
6. Harvest and trade of wild resources are legally compliant
7. Responsible business practices are applied

FairWild Certification

Use of FairWild Certification is intended to provide consumers with the assurance that wild-harvested products are produced in a socially and ecologically sound manner. Certification is currently available to companies and cooperatives that manage harvesting and processing of the wild collected products, with other companies in the chain of custody for FairWild certified ingredients required to register with the FairWild Foundation before the FairWild label can be displayed on manufactured products.

Certification is based on review of a number of factors including resource assessment, management plans, sustainable collecting practices, cost calculation along the supply chain, traceability of goods and finances, and documented fair trading practices. FairWild is only applicable to wild harvested plants (except for timber products), lichens and fungi, and does not include cultivated plants.^[1]

Products

FairWild certified ingredients are available from producer companies in a number of countries worldwide. Certification audits (according to FairWild Standard version 1.0) began in 2007, with the first products containing FairWild-certified ingredients available on the market in 2009.|title=Wildlife Trade News - Pukka Herbs launches FairWild-certified herbal tea |url=http://www.traffic.org/home/2012/7/5/pukka-herbs-launches-fairwild-certified-herbal-tea.html |accessdate=2014-01-22 |publisher=Traffic}}</ref> frankincense,^[2] and components of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).^[3] FairWild sustainable use projects are being implemented in various regions around the world in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and government agencies, as well as private sector partners.^[4]

FairWild and International Policy

The FairWild Standard is useful for bridging the gap between existing broad conservation guidelines and managing plans developed for specific local conditions.

FairWild and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered species of Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Countries exporting plants and animals species listed in Appendix II of CITES are required to demonstrate a level of export that is not detrimental to the survival of that species.

FairWild and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The GSPC (Global Strategy for Plant Conservation), adopted by the CBD in 2002, covers issues of sustainable use of plant diversity and benefit-sharing with the aim to contribute to the alleviation of poverty and sustainable development via inclusion of such targets in government policy. The FairWild Standard has been listed in a tool kit developed to help countries implement the GSPC (Targets 11 and 12).^[5]

FairWild Week

FairWild Week, founded in 2017, is the organization's annual event used to raise awareness of the importance of wild plants and their sustainable harvest.^[1]

References

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