ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES AND FAIRTRADE BOROUGH STATUS

Motion Text

That this House congratulates the Royal Borough of Kingston on being granted Fairtrade borough status; notes that it was officially declared a Fairtrade Borough at City Hall on 4th March; further notes that this was during Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 1st to 13th March; acknowledges that Fairtrade offers the opportunity to buy products from developing countries that ensure producers get a fair deal, that environmental conditions are met and that workers are not exploited; applauds the recent report by the Fairtrade Foundation that sales of Fairtrade products grew by more than 50 per cent. in the UK last year; and calls on the Government to raise awareness and actively to encourage schools, local authorities and retailers to join with boroughs such as Kingston in adopting fair trade principles and in getting involved in initiatives like the national Fairtrade Fortnight.