Press release 17-05-2010:
Danish nursery makes an appeal for increased awareness of the poorest country in Europe, Georgia, when World Fair Trade takes place on 8 May. Georgian cone pickers, who are the foundation of the great billion-kroner Christmas tree industry, are in need of a helping hand, declares Marianne Bols, a nursery owner.

On 8 May, Western countries’ attention will be aimed particularly towards poverty in Africa, child labour in Asia and poor working conditions in South America. All this happens when the global World Fair Trade focuses the world’s attention on sustainability, social responsibility and the fight against poverty. But according to the owner of the Danish nursery, it is very important that we in Europe also take a good look at our own backyard.

By and large the entire Christmas tree industry is founded upon seeds from Georgia, which is the poorest country in Europe. “Part of the seed gathering process takes place at heights of thirty metres and means that local cone pickers risk their lives,” says Marianne Bols, owner of Bols Forstplanteskole in Brædstrup. In relation to this, she explains that the deaths of many Georgian cone pickers have gone unnoticed over the years.

Another important issue is simply that right now is the time of the year when new planting is taking place all over Europe – Christmas trees for future markets. Some 20 tons of seed are being sown, most of which are not sourced as a Fair Trade product. According to Marianne Bols this is a missed opportunity for sustainable production methods where the workers are respected for their part in the production chain instead of being exploited.

Fair tones from Katie Melua
Since 2007, the nursery in Mid-Jutland has therefore been involved in Fair Trade Danmark and under these auspices created a seed and Christmas tree production system under the concept of ‘Fair Trees’.  The aim is to produce and sell Christmas trees that European families can bring into their homes with a clear conscience.

“As part of Fair Trade we have introduced permanent procedures for our ongoing involvement with Georgian cone pickers. Everybody is registered, insured and attends a seminar in using safety equipment,” says Marianne Bols.

And even though dancing around the Christmas tree is more than six months away, the nursery owner believes that we should not miss the chance to increase awareness of Georgia at the World Fair Trade day.

Marianne continues: “One thing is of course the Georgian cone pickers’ working conditions. Another is that we are dealing with a country which is extremely poor and risking depopulation. It’s important that we support the local infrastructure, like education and optimization of working conditions.”

The famous Georgian singer, Katie Melua, who is an official supporter of Fair Trees in her home country, visits Denmark on 1 July where she will be playing a concert at the Funen Village. Marianne Bols hopes that a visit from the world-renowned singer will generate increased awareness of the forgotten country.

Further information can be obtained by contacting:
Marianne Bols, e-mail: mb@bolsforst.dk, Tel. +45 75 76 00 43, www.bolsforst.dk, www.fairtrees.dk