Fair Trade Campaign Gathers Momentum

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Oct 2004

Tom Brake, Carshalton and Wallington's Liberal Democrat MP is backing Sutton Council's campaign to achieve Fair Trade Town status.

Tom Brake said, "During my recent visit to Ghana it was made very clear to me that farmers working in Fair Trade cooperatives benefited very significantly from the extra income they receive because they are Fair Trade farmers. Every extra purchase of Fair Trade products here in the London Borough of Sutton will help a poor farmer and his or her family somewhere in the developing world."

Tom Brake added, "I am on standby to write to all retailers and restaurants in Carshalton and Wallington to encourage them to provide Fair Trade alternatives, so we can hit the target needed to achieve Fair Trade status."

Other measures Sutton Council will need to take to achieve Fair Trade Town status will include passing a Fair Trade Motion at Council, identifying local workplaces and community organisations which are Fair Trade, building popular support for the campaign and promoting Fair Trade by holding an event in Fair Trade fortnight in March 2005 and setting up a steering group.

Tom Brake is also in discussions with suppliers who provide tea, coffee, biscuits to his office in Carshalton to ensure that they can provide Fair Trade alternatives. He then intends declaring his office a Fair Trade office.

Cllr Graham Tope is leading on this issue for Sutton Council.