Linda is encouraging Plymouth residents to buy fair trade products during this Fair Trade Fortnight - 25th February to 9th March 2008.

Linda welcomed the Government’s announcement of further support to the Fair Trade movement and urged constituents to match this commitment and buy more Fair Trade products. 

Linda said “Fair Trade helps support 7 million people in the developing world. Our shopping habits can make a real difference to the World’s poorest people. By buying food and presents from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty. 

“Already the UK’s demand for African fruit and vegetables benefits a million farmers and their families. By consumers and retailers acting together to promote and buy goods from developing countries we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.” 

Fair trade sales in the UK have been doubling every 2 years for the last eight years. The total value of fair trade labelled products sold in the UK in 2006 was £284 million, up from £196 million in 2005, a growth of over 1,000 per cent since 1998.

This growth is not restricted to the UK: the market for fair trade labelled products has been growing worldwide at 30-40% a year.  

Linda would welcome hearing from any Plymouth Sutton constituents interested in taking part in a Fair Trade Consultation Survey. Constituents can obtain a copy of the survey form by contacting Linda’s Constituency Office – 01752 226626 – or by emailing gilroyb@parliament.uk. Completed survey forms need to be returned by 14 February 2008. 

Linda intends to pass the results of the survey to Douglas Alexander – Secretary of State for International Development. 

29 February 2008