Fair Trade crosses the Pennines
HARROGATE'S
Cabinet has declared Harrogate district as a Fairtrade Town and will follow in the footsteps of Garstang in Lancashire which was the world's first Fairtrade Town.
Harrogate District Action for the Environment held a public meeting in the summer as their first step in their campaign to secure Harrogate Fairtrade status, which recognises a local commitment to Fair Trade Products.
They need the council to formally support the campaign by serving Fairtrade tea and coffee at all its offices.
Council staff have been using Fairtrade products for sometime but this will now be also be offered as an alternative whenever refreshments are served at council meetings or receptions.
Deputy Leader, Councillor Richard Cooper, who is right behind the principle, said:
"I am pleased that the council is backing those committed to fair trade.
This will make sure that we are doing our bit to see producers in poor countries are paid a fair price for their products and a decent wage.
We will be asking the council's officers to build in the purchase of fair trade refreshments into our procurement strategies to make sure that we have a common commitment right across the council."
In 1994, when the Fair Trade Mark was introduced in the UK, the value of products sold was £2.7m.
In just ten years, the value has risen to £140m in the UK and around £500m worldwide, helping to improve the lives of some five million workers in 49 countries.
ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Richard Cooper is available for comment on 007957 844380.