Your article on ethical coffee (Sustainable business, 29 May) fails to address a critical issue. Organic and fair trade yes, but there is no mention of shade- v sun-grown coffee. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC has, over the past two decades, developed a Bird Friendly certification which guarantees that coffee is grown under a strict regime of shade trees that ensures maximum biodiversity – which can rival that of natural rainforest – while at the same time maximising benefits to local farmers. This certification is generally regarded in the coffee industry as the gold standard. Widely known in North America and beyond, Bird Friendly certified coffee is now available in the UK, and its promotion was recently recognised with a Guardian Sustainable Business award given to Cafeology for its efforts in “going above and beyond to protect natural capital”.
Dr Derek Thomas
UK Representative, Smithsonian Institution Bird Friendly Coffee Programme
