Ethical shopping: The pros and cons

Does ethical shopping improve life for our peers in the developing world? The UK now spends nearly £40bn a year on ethical products. Fairtrade marks can now be seen on everything from Cadbury's Dairy Milk to coffees at Starbucks. But is Fairtrade really more about making Westerners feel good about themselves? What about ethical trading schemes and ensuring we know the goods we buy are sourced from industries globally with sound labour practices? The highlights of this feisty debate, filmed at the Battle of Ideas festival with speakers: Ceri Dingle WORLDwrite director; Pauline Tiffen Divine Chocolate company founder and Dan Rees from the Ethical Trading Initiative, may make you think twice about what you put in your trolley.

Recommended links:

• Article by Patrick Hayes: Sorry but Fairtrade is a political issue
• Article by Nathalie Rothschild: Can't buy me justice
• Article by Dan Welch: Is this the end for the ethical market?
• Battle of Ideas debate: Shopping: are we all ethical now?
• Ethical Trade Initiative website