Partner Article

North East should be Europe’s first Fairtrade region

A REGIONAL Member of the European Parliament believes the North East should aim to become the first Fairtrade area in Europe.

In a speech on her commitment to Fairtrade MEP Fiona Hall spoke of how the region should be looking to build on the already 15 strong Fairtrade towns prevalent across the North East, at The Inaugural meeting of the county Durham Fair-trade group on Tuesday.

She believes that having that having the regions largest local authority onside is a step in the right direction.

Fiona Hall, local Member of the European Parliament said: “A lot of hard work has gone into gaining and maintaining Fairtrade status in places like Durham, Newcastle and Alnwick.

“I hope more towns and villages will aim for Fairtrade status and send the message that what we buy can make a real difference to the lives of small producers.”

Durham City Fair Trade Partnership who organised the event believe it will act as a spring board for creating a much wider network of supporters and campaigners across county Durham with the work done regionally benefiting workers in developing countries.

Kathryn Sygrove, Chair of Durham City Fair Trade Partnership said:“ The longer-term goal is to aim towards Countywide Fairtrade status, and to increase awareness of the unique benefits afforded to producers in developing countries by products certified with the FAIRTRADE Mark“.

The guarantee that a Fairtrade premium is ploughed back into producer communities offers them the vital chance of working their way towards a better future. “

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .