The Tetley commitment will increase the number of cups of tea from Rainforest Alliance certified farms from 60m to circa 95m.
All Tetley branded tea bags and loose tea for black, green and red (Rooibos) tea, including flavoured and decaffeinated varieties, will be part of the certification programme, which is scheduled for completion by 2016.
Speaking about the announcement, Tensie Whelan, Rainforest Alliance president, said: “The tea industry has faced many challenges, from declining prices to poor farming and environmentally damaging practices. The Rainforest Alliance certification programme assists farmers in addressing these issues and in reaching new value-added markets as well as focusing on improving productivity and significantly improving their quality of life.
“We’re delighted with Tetley’s huge commitment, which will help meet the demand for sustainability that the environment and tea farmers need, and consumers obviously want.”
All farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified have met the environmental, social and economic standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN). The SAN standards cover ecosystem conservation, worker rights and safety, wildlife protection, water and soil conservation, agrochemical reduction, decent housing, and legal wages and contracts for workers.
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