Make Fairtrade your habit!

12.45.30pm GMT Fri 3rd Mar 2006

Sarah is a regular user of fairtrade products including tea, coffee and bananas.

London's Euro-MP and Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford is urging Londoners to get involved in 'Fairtrade fortnight', which starts on Monday 6th March.

The theme of the fortnight is "make fairtrade your habit," encouraging people to buy the products with this logo as a matter of course.

Sarah Ludford says:

"The Fairtrade system ensures a decent income for millions of small producers in the developing world, by buying direct from farmers at good prices. A fair global trading system is the best way to eradicate poverty."

"Fairtrade is already successful, but there is lots of potential for growth. With over 1000 fairtrade products now available, why not try something next time you go shopping, such as fairtrade flowers or a fairtrade football?"

"As a result of lobbying by MEPs including me, the European Parliament in Brussels uses fairtrade tea, coffee, wine, chocolate and bananas in its catering, but I hope this will soon be extended even further."

Note: for more information on how you can get involved with Fairtrade fortnight events, please get in touch with the Fairtrade Foundation. www.fairtrade.org.uk