The liaison officer of Fairtrade Labeling Organization for Southeast Asia, yesterday said that the implementation of zero tariffs on sugar and other agricultural products by 2015 will have an impact to the producers in Negros Occidental and it will automatically affect small producers.

Hagung Hendrawa, who spoke at a forum during the 7th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival in Bacolod City said there is always an effect when there is a change of system and that the entry of cheaper products will shake the domestic markets especially when they are sold at a much higher price.

However, he said the impact can be reduced if farmers prepare now and consider fair trade as one of their opportunities to have a stable and sustainable market.

Hendrawan said that organizations and country-producers who are certified members of FLO sell their products to fair trade markets which they also accredit.

With Negros Occidental producing organic products, it already possesses premium prices that are suitable for the FT markets that it pays more than the conventional market, Hendrawan said.*LTG

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