Labour MEPs urge shoppers to switch to Fairtrade - 2010-03-05

Shoppers are being encouraged to help tackle poverty by joining the Fairtrade Big Swap campaign.

The call to buy Fairtrade products comes from Labour MEPs and coincides with Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until Sunday 7 March.

Every year campaigners organise events during the two-week period to raise the profile of the scheme, which helps ensure workers in poorer countries get a fair price for the products they produce.

MEPs are urging shoppers in their constituencies to look for the Fairtrade Mark on food, gifts and other products in the shops.
 
Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade logo and there are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers in developing countries.

The UK government has announced plans to boost funding for the labelling system.

This 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.

Labour MEPs have been working for a number of years to support the fair trade movement, putting pressure on the European institutions to step up their support.

A European Commission initiative launched last year encouraged European countries to do more to promote the use of sustainable products.

The European Parliament is also using more Fairtrade products after a campaign by the Euro-MPs.

Linda McAvan MEP, who chairs the European Parliament's Fair Trade Working Group, said: "I am delighted to see that our hard work is paying off. We have achieved so much in the past decade.

"As a result of the group's efforts Fairtrade tea and coffee are now routinely served in all European Parliament meetings and events and Fairtrade products are given pride of place in our restaurants and canteens."

David Martin MEP, the spokesperson for Labour MEPs on trade, added: "Fairtrade isn't just a concept - it's a really practical way of making a difference to the lives of some of the world's poorest people. Small changes in our shopping habits can make a big difference to the world's poorest people.

"By buying food, gifts and other products from developing countries we will help their economies to grow and reduce poverty."

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