One of the fundamental principles of Fair Trade is that producers are paid above the "cost of sustainable production". Currently in Marlborough millions of litres of wine are being purchased by large mercenary retailers at well below the "cost of sustainable production".  

We don't want to get into arguaments around free trade, price fixing, free market economics or even how this is a correction based on boom and bust agricultural practices. What we want is this - "If a Marlborough wine sold anywhere in the world has paid any of it's supply chain less than the cost of sustainable production it should not be allowed to brand itself with the word Marlborough."

The reason these wines are so popular is the fact they are from Marlborough, we don't feel it's right that those who are pillaging the financial, social and environmental resources of Marlborough should be able to use the term Marlborough to promote their wines.

We also believe that the supply chain receiving above the cost of sustainable production should become a pre-requisite for entry into the national Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand programme (SWNZ).

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