The Bio Partenaire Organization

Confronted to the alarming disappearance of a growing number of farms, Bio Partenaire offers a universal approach towards a fair remuneration for quality products, one able to keep producers active within their trade.

The approach is based on long term contracting and on a continuous commitment to partnership of small and medium size companies within their own supply commodity chains. All commodity chains are organized as organic commodity chains to guarantee the durability of production as well as human health.

The same logic has been applied to both frames of reference, which are adapted to the specifics of harvesting countries: ORGANIC FAIR TRADE for developing countries (North/South trade) and ORGANIC SOLIDARITY for France (North/North trade).

Discover the Bio Partenaire flyer

Identity and mission statement of the organization

A 1901 voluntary association, Bio Partenaire brings together small and medium size companies who wish to produce while respecting both the environmental and the qualitative criteria of organic agriculture, as well as those of fare trading.

Its objectives are as follows:

1. To federate and support small and medium sized companies with fair and committed organic projects.

2. Promote a universal approach through the ORGANIC FAIR TRADE and ORGANIC SOLIDARITY charters.

3. Take part in the communication efforts related to the values and principles of organic agriculture and of fair trade.

Background history of the Bio Partenaire organization

2002: The organization is founded under the name of "ORGANIC FAIR TRADE". It sets forth its requirements and a private brand, integrating the criteria of both organic agriculture and fair trade: the "ORGANIC FAIR TRADE" frame of reference and brand.

2008 : Fifteen companies join the organization. They bring the value of their commercial and technical commitments to producers of developing countries under the ORGANIC FAIR TRADE brand name.

2009: The organization adheres to the French Platform for Fair Trade (Plateforme française pour le Commerce Equitable - PFCE), an organization which groups most if not all of the stakeholders of French fair trade. Our joining the organization demonstrates the recognition for our approach and for the driving role stakeholders can and must commit themselves to when it comes to the development of fair trade.

2009 is also the a turning year in the development of our organization:

• We change name to become the BIO PARTENAIRE ORGANIZATION and henceforth have two collective brands in our hands: "ORGANIC FAIR TRADE" and "ORGANIC SOLIDARITY".

• We launch a redeployment of our mission and entrust ECOCERT for the full control responsibility over our Organic Fair Trade channels, using their ESR (Exchange, Solidarity and Responsibility) system of guarantee.

2010: New ORGANIC SOLIDARITY requirements are produced and operational launch of ORGANIC SOLIDARITY approach is carried out.

30 companies are now members of the organization, offering more than 400 products under either one of the brand names and logos: ORGANIC FAIR TRADE or ORGANIC SOLIDARITY.

Committed Companies

Acting to cooperate towards a new globalization, towards sustainable development and through the activities they develop, the companies are able to actively participate in the fight against poverty, and in the preservation of rural fabric and of ecosystems.

Acting towards development: Fair trade is usually perceived in its North/South Context, but Bio Partenaire sees it within the scope of a universal approach. Whether in Europe or France, sustaining agricultural activities is a major issue as well. Having companies that are involved is a major concern.

"BIO PARTENAIRE" therefore gathers stakeholders of the organic agriculture economy (small and medium sized companies) engaged in fair trade and solidarity approaches. They impose certain ethical and environmental obligations upon companies willing to become members of the organization.

Membership

Only those companies engaged in a fair trade and solidarity approach may become members of BIO PARTENAIRE. They commit themselves to:

• The respect of international and national regulations on organic agriculture
• The respect of the articles of association of the organization
• The respect of the ESR Requirements of Ecocert in the case of Organic Fair Trade and/or of the requirements of ORGANIC SOLIDARITY for said brand.
• The respect of the visual identity guidelines of Organic Fair Trade and/or ORGANIC SOLIDARITY
• The due payment of their membership fees
• The prior approval of BIO PARTENAIRE for any packaging, labelling or communication medium.

Such companies which distribute, under its own brand, a raw material of a member of the organization which has been ESR controlled or controlled by ORGANIC SOLIDARITY, may also become a member of the organization.