September Action Card

In the picture you see Norgie Tucker from Chateaulebelair,  St Vincent.  Norgie is a banana grower and she is particular about the quality of her bananas which will be exported to the UK.  Here she is checking the bananas before harvesting to ensure that they are of the highest quality.  Most households in the UK buy bananas on a weekly basis.

Have you thought about how they have been grown,  harvested and despatched?  Often large exporting companies buy bananas straight from the grower at miniscule cost,  and producers are not in a position to improve or invest in their businesses.

Companies who have adopted the Fairtrade system of buying and exporting,  are ensuring that producers receive the best prices,  invest in decent working conditions, developing local sustainability.  These companies are giving producers fair terms of trade which must never fall below the market price.  A growing awareness of this mark now means one in every four bananas purchased carry the fair-trade mark.

By working together,  companies adopting the Fairtrade system are helping to empower the poorest and weakest producers in the world,  and at the same time,  working with producers in partnership to help develop a better economy.

In September 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit 189 nations of the world adopted the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration.  This declaration was signed by 147 heads of state.

Millennium Development Goal 8 aims to ensure that developing countries are not exploited in the financial sector by unreasonable lending with high interest rates.  Trading should be at a fair price allowing traders and growers to earn and invest without discrimination.

Least developed countries, landlocked countries and islands,  especially,  need assistance to develop finance and trade systems which will allow economic growth.

Look for the Fairtrade Mark when you shop.  Over 3000 products,  from coffee to flowers,  are Fairtrade certified.  By buying Fairtrade products you will be helping to achieve MDG 8 and helping to sustain a better trading standard across the world.

This month use your card to lobby Peter Mandelson,  Secretary of State for Business,  Innovation and Skills.     · State that you try to purchase fair-trade goods as your contribution to creating fair partnerships    · Challenge him to explain what he is doing to create relationships that support the grower,   not just rules that benefit the consumer

Please send the card to :

Rt Hon Peter Mandelson

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

1 Victoria Street

London SW1H 0ET

Please hold these concerns in your prayers.