Secretary of State for International Development launches Bristol's Fairtrade Fortnight

Bristol celebrates its status as one of a handful of recognised UK Fairtrade Cities when it stages Fairtrade Fortnight from February 26th to March 11th 2007.

The city was granted the coveted status in March 2005 after demonstrating its track record across the public and private sectors for promoting and using Fairtrade food and goods - ensuring producers, usually from developing countries or regions, get a fair price for their product.

Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn MP and coffee grower Melba Estrada of Nicaragua will launch Fairtrade Fortnight in Bristol on Monday, February 26 - at a special event at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum.

In front of an invited audience - including Lord Mayor, Cllr Peter Abraham and Council Leader Cllr Barbara Janke - Mr Benn will set out the government's position on Fairtrade, while Melba Estrada (through an interpreter) will explain what life is really like for farmers and growers in her country.

Members of the audience will be able to ask questions and find out more about Fairtrade policies in the UK and Nicaragua.

Fairtrade Fortnight is a national campaign to encourage more people to commit to the principles of fairly-traded goods - and encourage shoppers to ask for and buy Fairtrade products at local shops and supermarkets.

In Bristol, the fortnight will showcase much of the good work that already exists in the city to promote Fairtrade. It will also explore new ways to get local people thinking more globally about what they buy and the impact their shopping decisions can have on small farmers in developing countries.

"Fairtrade Fortnight is a chance to focus attention on the many benefits fair trade can bring to thousands of small farmers and growers around the world," says Jenny Foster, Bristol Fairtrade Network Co-ordinator.

"It is also an opportunity to take a closer look at what we are doing as individuals to bring about change and make a difference to the lives of producers struggling against poverty. Fairtrade Fortnight gives us the chance to challenge global inequalities and give Third World producers a fair and stable price for the goods they produce."

Council Leader Cllr Barbara Janke, added: "Bristol is proud to be a Fairtrade City and the city council strongly supports Fairtrade Fortnight. Wherever possible, the council uses Fairtrade foods at its own events and for its own catering - and we hope that by doing so we can encourage others to follow suit.

"There are many Fairtrade foods, such as coffee, chocolate and bananas, that the people of Bristol can choose to buy as part of their everyday shopping. By doing so, they not only enjoy quality goods but also help support and sustain small local economies in some of the world's poorest regions."

Ends

Press release issued: February 22 2007