12 February 2009
For immediate use

Rosemary McKenna MP is encouraging consumers in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East to buy fair trade products during this Fairtrade Fortnight (23rd February – 8th March).

Mrs McKenna urged her constituents to support the Fairtrade movement, saying:

“During this global economic downturn, it is vital that world trade continues and that no part of the world is left behind. Our shopping habits can make a real difference to the world’s poorest people. Fair Trade helps support 7.5 million people in the developing world.

“By buying food and other products from developing countries we can help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

“Already the UK’s demand for African fruit and vegetables benefits a million farmers and their families. When consumers and retailers act 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.”

Notes to Editors:

• Fairtrade sales in the UK have been doubling every 2 years for the last 10 years.
• The total value of Fairtrade labelled products sold in the UK in 2007 was £493 million, up from £286 million in 2006. This growth is not restricted to the UK: the market for Fairtrade labelled products has been growing worldwide at 30-40 per cent a year. 
• By the end of 2007 Fairtrade sales exceeded £1.6 billion – almost seventy times more than 10 years ago.

Printable version: Fair Trade Fortnight

For more information please contact Joe Fagan on 01236 457788