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Through the statement of four controversies, respectively dealing with the inclusion of companies working with hired labor, the respect of the cultural identity of handicrafts, the degree of marginality of producers’ groups and the eventuality of building a "local fair trade". The author shows that the accomplishment of sustainable development aimed for by fair trade implies framing the limitations of its beneficiaries and to establishing hierarchies. JEL codes: L31, Q01, Q17, Z13