Ethical Tea Partnershippriorities for the next decade

J. Wagurah ETP Regional Manager- East Africa

Who we are• Growing non-competitive alliance of 22 tea

packers• Founded in 1997• Pro-active response to consumer

concerns• Not-for-profit; not philanthropic• Focus on Social standards• Related issues which support a healthy

and sustainable global tea industry

Aims & objectives• Aim

– Demonstrate tea is ethically produced– Ensure good conditions for workers in the mainstream

tea industry– Harness market forces to drive positive change

through trade

• How?– Robust & independent global programme supported

by major buyers– Covers thousands of estates; millions of workers– Marketing & communications programme

22 international tea-packer members

Achievements to date:core activities

• Global social monitoring programme

• Focus on remediation

• Growing programme on ‘capacity building’

• Connecting producers with markets

Monitoring – progress to date

• Over 660 estates monitored• Over x monitoring visits conducted• Many in their 2nd cycle of monitoring• Over 1600 non-conformances identified• Significant proportion have been resolved• Working with estates to resolve the rest• ‘Graded Certificate’ driving Members buying

encourages continuous improvement

What producers have told us …

• Improve your communication

• Reduce emphasis on ‘inappropriate laws’

• Need help with issues from monitoring

• What’s the incentive?

• Reduce duplication

How are we responding?• Investment in Regional Manager Programme• New ETP Global Standard & approach to

monitoring• Launch of ‘Producer working groups’• Provide more support for remediation, training &

capacity building• Investment in new communications strategy• Strategic review including partnerships &

governance

Monitoring – a new approach• What?

– One single standard levels playing field for all– Focus resources on priorities

• For workers, estates, buyers & consumers– Provides protection where laws are weak– Provides a deeper understanding of issues

• How?– New ETP ‘Global Standard’– Evolution of current approach– ‘Locally adjusted’ Global Standard

• ETI Base Code + elements of Local Law + TU Agreements• Notes areas of good/best practice

Pilot of Standard & global implementation

• Development of Global Standard & monitoring guidelines• Consultation with Stakeholders

– Europe & Kenya– Principles, Standards, guidelines & process

• Pilot programme: Oct 06 – June 07• Feedback from producers & monitors• Global roll-out from 2008• Work with selected in-country partners

– Utilise issue-specific expertise

• Programme managed locally by ETP Regional Managers

Offering help to tackle the issues

• Recruitment of ETP Regional Managers– Currently East Africa, China & Sri Lanka– Recruiting for India & Indonesia– Launch of in-Country ‘Producer groups’

• Local representation & debate on priorities

• Partnering projects with NGOs & IDA’s– Focus training & development aid towards

sector priorities

What next?• Relationships with other initiatives

– Reduce costs & duplication– Improve focus

• Opportunities for Stakeholder involvement– In-country– Internationally

• Up-weighted communications programme imminent

In summary ETP is …

• Commercially driven: Supported & recognised by a growing number of international tea packers

• Inclusive: For all producers who supply tea to its packer members

• Market focussed: For consumers everywhere who care that the tea they buy is ethically produced

• Designed to drive positive sustainable change across the global tea market

The benefits to you

• Designed for and operated by the Tea trade• Monitoring is FREE to Producers• Demonstrate operating standards• Potential to differentiate from competitors• Helps establish & secure business with key

Buyers• All producers measured equally • Access to training and assistance

Ethical Tea PartnershipJoseph Wagurah

Regional Manager- East AfricaC/o Kenya Gatsby Trust

First Ngong AvenueACK Gardens House- 6th Floor Wing D

Direct line +254 20 2727531 +254 20 2720711/703

Mobile: +254 723 063737joseph.wagurah@ethicalteapartnership.org

www.ethicalteapartnership.org