Shayna of Oxfam responds to Starbucks

Few days ago, I posted highlights of Oxfam's call for public action under Starbucks: Honor Your Commitments to Ethiopian Coffee Farmers. The first comment on this came from Starbucks.

The comment posted by a writer who preferred to remain anonymous (have you ever read a name when the company comments?) reads:

I recommend you visit www.starbucks.com to see what this company does do to support farmers in every country they buy from. All of this bad press is false.

December 14, 2006 2:58:00 PM PST

At the time, I appreciated Starbucks' response and encouraged everyone to discuss on how to let the Ethiopian coffee farmers benefit from owning the trademarks of their own coffee names.

Well, Shayna has a response:

Starbucks has taken some good steps, but it can do better. Recognizing Ethiopia’s rights to its coffee names would complement these efforts.

Starbucks has made positive contributions to coffee-growing communities, but now that Ethiopia is proposing a long-term poverty solution, the company balks. Ethiopia’s project is not a quick fix, or a request for charity. It is a step toward righting a flawed trading system for the 15 million Ethiopians who depend on coffee to feed their families, and pay for their education and health care. As a company that prides itself on its work on behalf of coffee farmers, Starbucks should welcome Ethiopia’s efforts to help its farmers get a greater share of the value their coffee commands on the market.

December 15, 2006 10:29:00 AM PST

Since then, Starbucks proclaimed Ethiopia’s request for Starbucks to sign a voluntary licensing agreement is illegal.

Oh yeah?

Starbucks, tell us more.