UPDATE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS FOLLOWING BREXIT

by Andrew Williams | April 01, 2017 | 0 Comments

Dear friends of Eighteen Rabbit,

It is with great regret that we have to announce that following the triggering of Article 50 on Wednesday 29th March, we have had to dramatically change our business model to reflect the changing nature of business in the UK. We want to reassure our customers that we will always have their best interests at heart, but we do also have to be realistic about the effects that Brexit will have on our business and the projects we support. There will be three main changes which we will be phasing in over the next month:

1. With immediate effect we will no longer be able to accept pounds sterling. As a business which prides itself on a global outlook, we have moved our banking to Banco Azteca, a small bank based in rural Mexico. They offer outstanding customer service, but regrettably we can no longer pay in pounds and pence. Plus their nearest branch is around 5000 miles away. Credit card payments will be unaffected.

2. The upside of this is that we ARE now able to accept Mexican Pesos. Feel free to raid that drawer you keep all your leftover holiday money in!

3. Finally, as Hay is officially not part of the UK following Richard Booth's declaration of independence 40 years ago this very day, we are technically not actually in the EU at the moment. We will therefore be joining with other local traders to apply for EU membership as soon as possible. We hope this will lead to a greater sense of fraternity with our continental brothers and sisters, as well as a plentiful supply of baguettes, Iberico ham, lasagne, etc which will act as a powerful tourist attraction once the rest of the UK realises what they're missing out on.

We are proud and privileged to have you as customers, and look forward to serving you in the future. Hasta luego, amigos!

Tagged: brexit, eighteen rabbit, hay on wye

What Brexit could mean for developing countries

by Louise Davies | September 20, 2016 | 0 Comments

We're all unsure what Brexit will mean for our bank balances and our culture. And the repercussions could have an impact on fair trade, and the economies of developing countries too. As the UK has to renegotiate trade deals, preferences for developing countries may change and many vulnerable producers could have their incomes threatened.

As part of the EU, we offer developing countries duty free and quota free access to trade with the UK. Allowing developing countries to trade with us in this way contributes to their economic development. We now have the chance to be leaders in providing economic opportunities to developing countries, by offering simple and flexible trade routes.

It's great to see that Traidcraft are conducting some research to propose post Brexit development-friendly policies and they will hopefully be able to put a set of recommendations to the Government.

In the meantime, Fairtrade Foundation have set up a petition to ensure that Theresa May considers the impact on vulnerable farmers and workers in any new trade deals. You can sign it here.

Future trade deals have the opportunity to help end poverty. The lives of voiceless farmers and workers could be improved, not worsened, if the Government ensure they are not forgotten. Please sign the petition to make sure that any new UK trade deals deliver justice.

Tagged: Brexit, developing countries, economy, justice