Fair and transparent fashion and textile supply chains – it’s time for EU action!
2 December 2015 (Brussels) – Fashion Revolution and the Fair Trade Advocacy Office joined forces on the 1st December to raise awareness amongst EU decision makers of the lack of transparency and imbalances of power in fashion and textile supply chains, from farmer to consumer.
In the context of the European Year for Development, Fashion Revolution and the Fair Trade Advocacy Office organised a debate in Brussels on Tuesday evening, hosted by Arne Lietz, Member of the European Parliament. Participants at the conference heard the testimonial of Youssouf Djimé Sidibe from the Association of African Cotton Producers, who reported on the situation faced by small cotton farmers. Sergi Corbalán, on behalf of the Fair Trade movement, stated: “Cotton farmers are the often-forgotten actors in the fashion and textile supply chains. We call on the EU to put in place an action plan to ensure fair and transparent fashion and supply chains, from farmer to consumer”.
The event also included contributions by Roberto Ridolfi, Director at the European Commission Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development and Jean Lambert, Member of the European Parliament. Mr Ridolfi shared the EC’s plans on responsibility in textile and garment supply chains.
Fashion Revolution launched its first white paper “It’s Time for a Fashion Revolution” which argues that more transparency is needed across the fashion industry, from seed to waste. The white paper contextualises Fashion Revolution’s efforts, sets out the organisation’s philosophy and how it is involving the public, the industry, policymakers and other stakeholders around the world towards a safer, cleaner, more fair and beautiful future for fashion.
Carry Somers, on behalf of Fashion Revolution, closed the evening explaining that: “Most of the public is still not aware that human and environmental abuses are endemic across the fashion and textiles industry and that what they’re wearing could have been made in an exploitative way. We don’t want to wear that story anymore. We want to see fashion become a force for good.”
ENDS
Media contacts
Orsola de Castro
Fashion Revolution
Co-founder / Director
Sergi Corbalán
Fair Trade Advocacy Office
Executive Director
+ 32 (0)2 543 19 23
corbalan@fairtrade-advocacy.org
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