South West MEP backs Fairtrade fortnight

12.15.02pm GMT Wed 8th Mar 2006

Supporting Fairtrade fortnight 2006

South West Euro-MP Graham Watson is backing 'Fairtrade fortnight', which started on Monday 6th March.

The point of the fortnight is to get consumers to make a habit of buying Fairtrade products and looking for the logo as a matter of course when shopping.

Graham Watson said:

"The Fairtrade system enables small producers throughout the developing world to earn a decent living. It works by buying directly from farmers at good prices. A fair global trading system is the best way to eradicate poverty and put these producers on an even footing with the rest of the world."

"Fairtrade has been extremely successful, but there is still a great deal of scope to extend the scheme. MEPs in Brussels, myself included, have successfully lobbied the European Parliament into using Fairtrade tea, coffee, wine, chocolate and bananas in its catering, but I hope this is just the start and that it will soon be extended even further."

Note:

For information on how to get involved with Fairtrade fortnight events, please get in touch with the Fairtrade Foundation. www.fairtrade.org.uk