Sir, - Brian O Cinneide (October 19th) is right to draw attention to the appalling record of the cane sugar industry, which continues, in several places, to this day. Oxfam has campaigned for years against worker exploitation in many industries overseas. But rich country protectionism is not a response to the bad treatment of cane sugar workers.
Current international agricultural trade is grossly unfair. The refusal of the rich to buy from the poor prevents them getting on the road to a better life. We are inconsistent - indeed, hypocritical - in demanding open markets for the goods we can produce best but not for the other fellow's competitive goods. It is an abuse of our power and an affront to our values. Our Government should work for fair play and justice at the UN and the WTO.
I am grateful, too, that Mr O Cinneide has also drawn attention to the care needed when trading with poor countries. At Oxfam we have taken direct action. Most of our shops sell "Fair Trade" goods (including sugar, incidentally) which are procured from poor country suppliers whose workers enjoy better wages, trade union rights, decent working conditions and other benefits. Other retailers should take the same care. "Fair Trade" is not yet as visible as "organic"; but it is arguably more important to a sustainable future.
The world is a cruel place, with much exploitation of the poor and the weak. Thousands of Oxfam supporters want to make it fairer. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Brian Scott, Executive director, Oxfam Ireland, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.