2nd February 2010, Banana Link

On 8th December 2009 at the FAO headquarters in Rome, the World Banana Forum was launched, creating a permanent space of assembly for participants representing the global banana supply-chain.  All 150 participants agreed to set the mission of ‘Working Together for Sustainable Banana Production and Trade’.  As such, the aim of the Forum is to promote open dialogue and inspire collaboration between stakeholders in order to produce pragmatic outcomes for the improvement of the banana industry and to achieve an industry-wide consensus on best practices regarding workplace issues, gender equity, environmental impact, sustainable production and economic issues.

Five multi-stakeholder working groups have been established as part of the Forum to work towards addressing specific key issues facing the industry.  These are:

-    Labour Rights and Other Workplace Issues;
-    Distribution of Value;
-    Sustainable Production Systems & Environmental Impacts;
-    Reducing Agro-chemical Use;
-    Certifications.

Over the coming years, these groups will meet face to face and electronically in order to generate ideas, conduct research and produce measurable results.

More information about the Forum can be found at the website – click here.

Source: Banana Link