Stunell Meets Cocoa Farmers to Celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight

10.42.01am GMT Fri 11th Mar 2005

This week Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell, met Ghanaian cocoa farmers in Westminster to celebrate the fact that Fairtrade product sales have risen by 46% on last year.

His meeting was part of Fairtrade Fortnight, linked to Fairtrade celebrations across Stockport in the last 2 weeks. Highlights have included a talk in Bramhall from the only Fairtrade wine producer in South America and stalls and taste tests in Stockport town centre. Tomorrow, a balloon race at Cheadle Hulme Junior School organised by sixth form students at Cheadle Hulme Senior School offers the chance to win a hamper of Fairtrade products.

Andrew Stunell MP said:

"Stockport Council is committed to using Fairtrade products. It is fantastic that so many people across Stockport are getting behind the move to Fairtrade products. I feel that it is a sign of the times that we are all starting to think a little more carefully about the origin of what we eat and drink.

"Hundreds of constituents regularly write to me with concerns about poverty in the developing world. Choosing Fairtrade products is an easy and direct way to make a difference to the lives of farmers and their families in developing countries.

"Many small scale farmers in developing countries are at the mercy of wildly changing market prices. Fairtrade guarantees a regular income for these farmers."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Fairtrade Fortnight is 1 - 14th March. See www.fairtrade.org.uk for more details.

2. Attached photo: Andrew Stunell MP meeting Ghanaian Cocoa Farmers. Contact allenj@parliament.uk for more photos.

3. See www.stockport.gov.uk for more details of Fairtrade celebrations in Stockport, or call the Sustainability Team on 0161 474 3169

4. For details of the Balloon Race at Cheadle Hulme Primary School on 11th March, 1pm, please contact Anna Kingsley at the Millennium Volunteers: 0161 4770246, info@stockportcvs.co.uk