Andrew is encouraging shoppers in Denton and Reddish to buy Fairtrade products during this Fairtrade Fortnight (22^rd February – 7^th March).

He welcomed Labour’s plan to boost funding for the Fairtrade labelling system and urged shoppers in Denton and Reddish to look for the Fairtrade Mark on food, gifts and other products in the shops.

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark and there are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers in developing countries. Labour’s latest investment will bring another 1 million producers into the scheme and enable 7 million more people in poor countries to benefit from a better deal offered by Fairtrade.

Andrew Gwynne MP said:

“Small changes in our shopping habits can make a big difference to the world’s poorest people. By buying food, gifts and other products from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

“When consumers and retailers act together to promote and buy goods from developing countries, we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”

Douglas Alexander, Labour’s International Development Secretary, said:

“Andrew Gwynne MP has been a passionate campaigner on fair trade. I hope shoppers across Denton and Reddish will join Andrew Gwynne MP during Fairtrade fortnight and take the chance to swap their usual shopping for Fairtrade products.“

Labour has supported Fairtrade since 1997 with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID). But this year Labour is significantly boosting support for Fairtrade by quadrupling funding to £12m over the next four years (2010-13) through the global body FLO. Farmers in developing countries will also see twice as much money invested directly back through their local organisations for community projects such as irrigation and clinics through "Fairtrade Premiums". 

To back the campaign for a law to guarantee international aid go to: www.globalpovertypromise.com