As Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off this week London’s Green MEP, Jean Lambert joined George Alagiah, patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, at the launch and urged the capital to make every day Fair Trade day.
Speaking after the launch Jean, who has been Green MEP for London since 1999, said that positive changes could be made if all Londoners made simple changes to their shopping habits such as switching to Fair Trade coffee.
Jean commented; "Some of the worlds developing countries face falling prices and a continuing battle to get a fair price for their goods along with acceptable working conditions. They can not however do this on their own and need our support to increase demand for such goods.
"Through buying fair trade consumers can be sure that human rights and good working conditions have been observed allowing producers to gradually develop their own independence and communities.
"Consumers really do have the power to help tackle poverty in the third world simply by making informed decisions when choosing their shopping. Products carrying the Fair Trade mark are now readily available throughout London in independent shops and most supermarkets so we all have the opportunity to make every day a fair trade day – we should accept nothing else."
ENDS
For more information please contact:Morwenna Holland, Media Officertel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812 email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors: Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice and Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament.