As part of South Ayrshire Council’s continuing commitment to Fairtrade it is keen to raise the profile of their products across South Ayrshire, with Council staff, local businesses and organisations.

The Fairtrade organisation has organised ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ between 1 and 13 March 2005. During this period the Council will have a display in the foyer of the County Buildings with leaflets, posters and samples of some of the products to encourage staff to think about purchasing Fairtrade products.

The Council’s spokesperson on Fairtrade matters, Councillor Helen Moonie said: “Currently the Council uses Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar within the restaurant in the County buildings, when providing hospitality and within other Council buildings wherever possible. Some other Fairtrade products such as fruit and confectionery are being introduced, and it is hoped that the range will be extended.

“A Fairtrade Working Group has been established in Ayr, and the Council is working with this group, towards gaining Fairtrade town status for Ayr. A number of businesses of varying sizes within Ayr have already made a commitment to use only Fairtrade products. Many churches and other organisations use the products, and often have them for sale at fetes and special events.

“During ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ a number of Ayr retailers are planning special promotional activities to highlight Fairtrade products. The Fairtrade logo is easily identifiable, and it guarantees that the people who produced the product have had decent working conditions, and received a fair price for their goods.

“If every person in South Ayrshire purchased just one Fairtrade product during their weekly shopping trip it would make a tremendous difference to the lives of people in the developing world.”

The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body that only awards the Fairtrade mark to producers that meet international Fairtrade standards.

The Fairtrade mark is an independent consumer label that appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal, and therefore have the opportunity to improve their own lives and that of their families. More than five million people, including farmers, workers and their families across 49 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system, and it gives them a stronger position in the world market.

Anyone who would like more information about Fairtrade should log on to their website at www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Pictured at the foyer in the County Buildings are (left to right) Council staff member Arnold Van De Brug sampling some Fairtrade chocolate, Norma Duncan, Fairtrade Working Group, Councillor Helen Moonie and Sheila Merchant Fairtrade Working Group.

March 2005