The Hendon Labour Party

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Fairtrade Fortnight

International Development e-Update 8.5: Fairtrade Fortnight

I promised to keep you informed about International Development matters. Many local people have raised the importance of fair trade with me. We have campaigned together to pressure international governments to secure better trade rules that will allow the world's poorest countries to help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

After Fairtrade Fortnight (23^rd February - 8^th March) I wanted to write to you to outline why fair trade is so important and how very small changes in our own shopping habits can make a major difference to the world's poorest people.

That's why I was pleased to launch Fairtrade Fortnight locally, with St. Margaret's Church, Edgware.

During this global economic downturn, it is vital that world trade continues. By buying food and products from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

Fair trade sales have become increasingly popular in the UK. Research shows that nine out of ten UK shoppers said they were willing to pay extra for a product perceived to be ethical and fair. Every two years for the last ten, UK shoppers have doubled the amount of Fair Trade goods they buy. Fair trade sales in the UK have been growing on average at 40 per cent, per year. Seven in 10 UK households purchase Fairtrade goods.

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark in the UK. Around the world, there are over 800 Fairtrade-certified producer organisations representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers, meaning that together with their families 7.5 million people now benefit from a better deal in 58 developing countries.

But we can do more.

The Labour Government has supported Fairtrade since 1997 with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID). But this year we are significantly boosting support for Fairtrade by quadrupling funding to £12m. The Labour Government's investment will help bring another 1 million producers into the scheme and enable 7 million more people in poor countries to benefit from a better deal offered by Fairtrade. Farmers in developing countries will also see more than three times as much money invested directly back through their local organisations for community projects such as irrigation and clinics through "Fairtrade Premiums".

No country has reduced poverty in the last 30 years without also increasing trade. This is why the Labour Government has led international efforts to secure fairer trade rules. As part of this the Government has significantly increased investment in 'Aid for Trade'. We have committed to provide at least £1 billion in each of the next three years to aid for trade and growth.

But there is also more that we can do as consumers. Three simple steps will help grow the fair trade market and deliver benefits to some of the world's poorest countries.

First, where possible, swap your shopping for a Fairtrade labelled product.

Second, if there is no Fairtrade labelled alternative, ask the retailer to offer Fairtrade products in the future.

Third, ask for clear labelling about where products have come from and about the working conditions of those who produced the goods.

By shopping for development we can help provide a vital route out of poverty for many in the world's poorest countries. And by following the three simple steps we can have an immediate effect over Fairtrade Fortnight.

And if you, like me, feel strongly about global poverty, add your voice to the campaign for a law to guarantee international aid at

www.globalpovertypromise.com