Liberal Democrats - Making Poole a fairer town

10.23.00am GMT Fri 23rd Feb 2007

The Liberal Democrats are committed to making Poole a Fair Trade town

Liberal Democrats in Poole welcomed Fairtrade Fortnight and reaffirmed their commitment to making Poole a Fair Trade town.

There are five conditions Poole needs to meet to gain Fairtrade status:

· The Council needs to pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens;

· More Fairtrade products need to be readily available in Poole's shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments;

· Fairtrade products need to be used by a number of local work places and community organisations;

· Fairtrade needs to be supported in the local media and by local people;

· A local Fairtrade steering group should be convened to ensure commitment to Fairtrade Town status.

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Poole are urging local businesses to join with the Council in making Poole a Fairtrade town for the future.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Mike Brooke said:

"I am committed to making a Poole a Fairtrade town, but we need everyone in Poole to support the idea if we are to meet the commitment needed for Fairtrade status.

"We need to push Fairtrade further. We should have the chance here in Poole to buy Fairtrade clothes and accessories, Fairtrade furniture and gifts."

Cllr Phil Eades added.

"The Fairtrade Mark guarantees a fair and stable price to producers in developing countries, it also guarantees consumers a top-quality and environmentally-friendly product. It is such a simple and direct way to make a big difference to the lives of poor families in developing countries.

"It is better to help people support themselves through trade than handouts from the government. Fairtrade is a hand-up, not a hand-out."

ENDS

Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 runs from 26th February till 11th March