Nestle, petition to Keep KitKats Fairtrade

Nestle – petition to Keep KitKats Fairtrade.
Sadly Nestle have not changed their minds. 
Last week representatives from the York Fairtrade group handed in a petition to Nestle signed by over a 300,000 people regarding the change from Fairtrade to Rain Forest Alliance for the cocoa farmers in Cote d”Ivoire. Four million people and a number of Members of Parliament have all tweeted the CEO of Nestle about this proposed change plus the BBC & other media groups have covered this matter as well. The York Fairtrade group had met with representatives from Nestle to discuss how this would affect the farmers financially and their families.
Under the Fairtrade Premium agreement the farmers were directly given $240 to spend as they chose through a democratic representative Premium Committee.  Under the new Rain Forest Alliance Premium the amount given of $180 is split three ways. $60 directly to the farmer in cash, $60 to the cooperative and $60 for aspects of the sustainability programme such as farmer training. Nestle are now talking to the farmers representative body and some extra commitments to protect the farmers rights and incomes in the short term has been agreed. 
Thank you if you signed the petition or tweeted Nestle. 

When shopping please look out for the Fairtrade symbol on chocolate items that you buy because in so doing you are supporting the hard working cocoa farmers and their families. 
Delia Owen