BT supports ethical B2B exchange

NEWS BT is supporting a B2B exchange aimed at providing fair trading conditions for Third World farmers. The e-marketplace, to be built by BT subsidiary Syntegra, will link organic farmers in Europe and Africa, allowing them to electronically trade produce without the involvement of big supermarket chains. Ethical groups have previously accused the retail giants of driving prices too low. The marketplace will be managed by private enterprise Teemco, and will be supported by freight company P&O Nedlloyd and academics at Imperial College London. Teemco estimates the market for organic food is growing at about 20 per cent a year and is already worth about £10bn. UK shoppers bought over £1bn of organic food in 2000.