Earlier this month, I showed my support for Fairtade Fortnight, by meeting with Aileen Burmeister, Head of Fairtrade Wales, and Claire O'Shea, Head of Partnerships at Hub Cymru Africa. 

Fairtrade Fortnight takes place each year and gives people across the UK the opportunity to celebrate achievements and learn more about the difference Fairtrade makes.

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers around the world, but particularly in lower income countries. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the producers from low-income countries. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Fairtrade Wales grows and promotes the Fair Trade movement in Wales, working with over 30 Fairtrade communities, 200 schools, 18 local authorities and eight Fair Trade retailers, and connecting with faith groups, universities and businesses in Wales each year.

Since 2009 Fair Trade Wales have campaigned for the rights of farmers and producers in low and middle income countries who are often poorly paid and live with the impact of climate change.

Although Wales is a small nation, it is important that we play our part in creating a better world – at home and further afield. In 2008 we made history by becoming the world’s first Fair Trade Nation.

Ten years later, in 2018, Fair Trade Wales did a review into Wales as a Fair Trade Nation, and the research clearly showed that people wanted Wales to continue being a Fair Trade Nation, and that more places internationally are interested in the work going on here in Wales.

From the surveys they conducted and focus groups they held across Wales, it was found that:

• People are proud of being part of a Fair Trade Nation.
• Being a Fair Trade Nation is a morally responsible thing. 
• Being a Fair Trade Nation fits with the identity of Wales and Welsh people.
• It is important to be a Fair Trade Nation as there is still more to do.

Most shops now sell some Fair Trade products. Your local shop or farmers market may also stock at least a few items including tea, coffee, sugar, chocolate and fruit.

Look for the Fairtrade Mark or WFTO Guarantee. It’s always worth asking if you can’t find something – as the shop may be able to order it for you.

I welcome the fact that so many residents, schools, communities and businesses in Conwy and Denbighshire support Fairtrade’s mission to make trade fair and are committed to using Fairtrade products where they can, and I encourage all those who don’t already shop Fairtrade to start supporting products that help farmers across the globe fighting for better working conditions and a fair deal for their produce.

For further information on Fair Trade, Fair Trade products and how to get involved visit the Fair Trade Wales website: https://fairtrade.wales