Andy Love MP urges Edmonton shoppers to buy Fairtrade

Andy joins International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander to support Fairtrade Fortnight running from 22nd February – 7th March.

Edmonton MP Andy Love is encouraging local shoppers to buy Fairtrade products where possible during “Fairtrade Fortnight” which runs from 22nd February to 7th March. The event is designed to raise both consumers’ and retailers’ awareness of how small changes to shopping habits can make a huge difference to some of the world’s poorest people.

Andy has welcomed the Government’s plan to boost funding for the Fairtrade labelling system. Between 2010 and 2013 £12 million will be invested in a joint effort between donors and the global body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International. Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark so Andy is urging shoppers to look out for the stamp on food, gifts and other products in the shops locally.

Already 460 producers – representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers in developing countries – sell Fairtrade products to the UK. The Government’s latest investment will bring another one million producers into the scheme and enable seven million more people in poor countries to benefit from a better deal offered by Fairtrade. Farmers in developing countries will also see twice as much money invested directly back into their local organisations for community projects, such as irrigation.

Supporting Fairtrade Fortnight, Andy said…

“Buying Fairtrade doesn’t necessarily cost more. If shoppers just swap a few products like tea and bananas for Fairtrade goods they will make a massive impact to people in developing countries with very little impact to their budget.

“No country has reduced poverty in the last 30 years without also increasing trade so it’s vital that we help expand international efforts to secure fairer trade rules and develop initiatives such as the ‘Aid for Trade’ programme.”