The area’s status as a Fair Trade County has been renewed for a further two years thanks to an-ongoing commitment to fair trade.
Swansea was first awarded fair trade status back in 2002 in recognition of factors like the availability of fair trade products in local shops and restaurants, as well the support for fair trade principles shown by Swansea Council, local businesses, schools and faith groups.
Swansea’s Fair Trade Forum members include Swansea Council, the Environment Centre, Swansea University, the University of Wales Trinity St David, the Red Café, Oxfam, ActionAid, Traidcraft and a student group called People and Planet.
Cllr John Newbury, Lord Mayor of Swansea, said: “The renewal of Fair Trade County status here in Swansea should be applauded because it shows our commitment to ensuring that products meet high social, economic and environmental standards. I’d like to commend members of the Fair Trade Forum for all their hard work in raising awareness of the issue’s importance.”
Jenny Edwards, chair of the Swansea Fair Trade Forum, said: “Our Fairtrade County Status demonstrates a key way Swansea contributes to the Welsh goal of working towards a globally responsible Wales set out in the Well-being of Future Generations Act.”
Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We’re so pleased that Swansea has had its fair trade status renewed and has laid out clear, exciting goals to take fair trade further in future.
“Thanks to the on-going support of the public and campaigners, an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on fair trade terms, bringing them a stable income, and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.”
The fair trade mark independently certifies that products meet strict economic, social and environmental standards. More than 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the fair trade mark, including coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, bananas, grapes and pineapples.
Estimated retail sales of fair trade products in 2013 reached £1.7 billion.
Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk for more information.
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