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Poverty-hit farmers MP fair trade boost

Tom Rowley
28/ 2/2007

GLOSSOP MP Tom Levitt hopes to be joining others in backing Third World farmers this weekend.

It is halfway through Fairtrade Fortnight, which promotes the sale of goods with the Fairtrade label to ensure producers in the developing world receive an agreed and stable price for their produce as well as additional income to invest for the future.

Mr Levitt is parliamentary private secretary to cabinet minister Hilary Benn, whose international aid and development department is a sponsor of the campaign.

"Although governments and politicians do what we can to promote fair trade locally and nationally," the MP said.

"It is great to see local organisations doing it too. Even individuals can make a real difference to the world's poorest people by buying fair trade products."

Mr Levitt hopes to attend either or both of the Fairtrade events planned for Glossop on Saturday.

There will be a Fairtrade breakfast from 9am to 2pm at Zion Methodist Church in Simmondley, as well as a Fairtrade stall showcasing goods from the Third World within Tesco's on Wrens Nest Road.

Local campaigners want Glossop to be designated a Fairtrade town and are working towards meeting the criteria laid down by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Log onto www.fairtradeglossop.org.uk for more details.

Next weekend the Co-op on Norfolk Street will also host a Fairtrade stall from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and there will also be a stall after morning mass at St Mary's Church in the town the following day.