For the past 4 years Electric Picnic has had an official Fairtrade policy. Last year traders were required to ensure that any Tea, Coffee, Sugar and Bananas served were Fairtrade certified.

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Last year the 4th official Fairtrade audit was carried out by Fairtrade Mark Ireland. All traders attending the Festival were inspected. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the Electric Picnic Weekend a total of 87 Food Traders were audited by Fairtrade Mark Ireland Representatives. The overall compliance by traders is now at 43%.

Again this year we have set out an official Fairtrade Criteria with the aim to increase compliance by traders over the Electric Picnic weekend.