County Council backs Fairtrade Fortnight

The annual campaign aims to make a positive impact on agricultural communities in the developing world. The County Council recently adopted a Fairtrade policy and will be announcing several initiatives during the fortnight (February 26 - March 11).

Terry Dix, Leader of the County Council said: "We approved a Fairtrade Policy because we believe we can make a difference to people in some of the poorest parts of the world. For example, Fairtrade tea and coffee is served to those attending meetings at County Buildings and more of our workplaces are expected to follow suit. 

"We can all make a difference - by making small changes in the way we each act as consumers we can help other people to make changes towards a better way of life.  If every Staffordshire resident/Council employee bought one Fairtrade product during Fairtrade Fortnight this would make a contribution to tackling poverty in the developing world." 

The annual Fairtrade Fortnight is promoted by networks around the country which include: UNISON and PCS trade unions; development agencies CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, SCIAF, Tearfund, Traidcraft Exchange and the World Development Movement, The Mothers' Union; the national Federation of Women's Institutes, churches and faith based organisations.

Further information:

The FAIRTRADE Mark is a certification mark and a registered trademark of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) of which the Fairtrade Foundation is the UK member. This independent consumer label appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than five million people - farmers, workers and their families - across 58 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.  The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body which awards the FAIRTRADE Mark to products which meet international Fairtrade standards.

The full range of Fairtrade products now includes: coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, apples, pears, grapes, plums, lemons, oranges, satsumas, clementines, lychees, avocados, pineapples, mangoes, fruit juices, quinoa, peppers, green beans, coconut, dried fruit, rooibos tea, green tea, cakes and biscuits, honey, muesli, cereal bars, jams, chutney and sauces, herbs and spices, nuts and nut oil, wine, beer, rum, ice cream, flowers, sports balls, rice, yoghurt, babyfood, sugar body scrub, cotton wool and cotton products.