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Newry and Mourne Sinn Féin Councillor Pat Mc Ginn has encouraged all to "Go Further for Fairtrade. The Councillor was speaking as fair-trade Fortnight begins (25th February- 10th March).
The Sinn Féin elected representative explained “The theme is “Go further for Fairtrade”. The two-week long campaign will highlight the need to think about where our food comes from, and through an interactive petition will call on the British government to take action before the 2013 G8 Summit. The petition will signal the start of a three-year long campaign by Fairtrade Foundation – ‘Make Food Fair’. Newry City accomplished Fairtrade status in a remarkably short space of time, reflecting the intense work schedule that passionate local people involved in the steering committee
had set themselves. It was signature piece of work embracing all creeds, traditions and differences. It has brought increased understanding and knowledge of issues and countries in Africa and the developing world and the value of seeing the connections between the global and the local. In May 2003, Garstang in Lancashire declared itself 'the worlds first Fairtrade Town' and in September 2003, Clonakilty became Ireland's first 'Fairtrade Town', Newry joined those ranks in 2007" and he continued “Companies and governments need to make a stand to ensure small farmers can achieve sustainable livelihoods and play their full role in building fairer, better food systems for the future. Choosing Fairtrade is one way to help secure a better deal for millions of people in developing countries, so I would encourage people to try a new Fairtrade product.
Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy who was involved in the achievement of Fairtrade status for Newry City in March 2007, commenting on the two week campaign said “There is a huge awareness and interest in the work of Fairtrade, particularly amongst young people and hopefully Fairtrade Fortnight will introduce more people, businesses and communities to the Fair trade vision of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential” and he concluded "Ultimately this will help people get into the Fairtrade habit and make a direct contribution to the lives of the millions of Third World farmers who depend on selling their crops to survive. Fairtrade guarantees producer organisations a fair and stable price for their products that covers their costs and enables them to support their families and invest in a better future. Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/gofurther for more on Fairtrade Fortnight.
