We’re big fans of Fairtrade products, so great to hear from Andrew Turner’s office today that the Isle of Wight is celebrating being a Fairtrade Island for five years. Ed
It is five years this week since the Isle of Wight was officially declared a Fairtrade Island and the anniversary coincides with the 500th UK Fairtrade Town due to be announced on 1st November.
Five years of Island Fairtrade today
The Island’s MP Andrew Turner welcomed both milestones as a step towards a fairer world. The Isle of Wight achieved Fairtrade status on 28th October 2005 and is one of 11 Fairtrade Islands in the UK.
Mr Turner commented, “Fairtrade has been successful because it’s straightforward and people understand it. You don’t have to delve into the intricacies of international trade to know that by choosing a Fairtrade product you are supporting small producers and their communities in poor parts of the world. People watch TV, see what is going on in the world and feel pretty helpless, but this is something everybody can do that bypasses Government policies and ineffective aid. Fairtrade products used to be perceived as much more expensive but that is no longer true.
“Fairtrade gives poor farmers a hand-up not a hand-out – that is something Britishpeople like. You don’t have to go on a march, start a campaign or write to politicians, you can just go shopping!”
Fairtrade towns going for ten years
The Fairtrade towns initiative was kicked off in April 2000, when Garstang in Lancashire declared itself the ‘World’s First Fairtrade Town’. Since then the word has spread across 19 countries with over 800 areas achieving Fairtrade status.
However the movement has been most successful in the UK, with London being the biggest Fairtrade Town in the World. A Fairtrade Town is an area that has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade and using products with the Fairtrade mark.
Fairtrade producers are paid a price which covers the costs of sustainable production and they also receive a Fairtrade premium, providing income for community development projects.
Massive growth in Fairtrade sales
In the last 10 years Fairtrade sales in the UK have grown from almost £33 million to an estimated retail value of over £799m. There are now more than 4,500 Fairtrade certified products available including mainstream brands such as Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, Starbucks and Ben & Jerry’s.
Mr Turner also paid tribute to campaigners who worked to get Fairtrade status for the Island.
“Chris Murphy of Traidcraft in Freshwater was a leading light in what was originally quite a small band of people committed to the project, but the numbers swelled over time. They can all be proud of what they achieved locally five years ago and I am sure they will also be delighted at the news that there are now 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK.”
