Rotherham MPs back bid to make Yorkshire first Fairtrade region

Rotherham is backing a campaign for Yorkshire to become the first Fairtrade region.

The town won Fairtrade status in 2006 and the Rotherham Fairtrade Group is working with Fairtrade supporters across the region.

Now Rotherham’s three MPs – John Healey, Kevin Barron and Denis MacShane – have signed a Parliamentary motion in support of the bid.

Mr Healey said: “There are more than 2,000 Fairtrade goods in the UK, so this is a everyone can play a part in making sure producers in the developing world are getting a fair deal.

“Fairtrade is making a real difference. Giving a fair price for what is produced means communities in the developing world can get the things we think of as a basic right, like housing, health, education, food and clean water.

“Yorkshire becoming a Fairtrade region would send a clear message that we want to do our bit to help some of the world’s poorest people work their way out of poverty.”

Cllr Ken Wyatt, chairman of the Rotherham Fairtrade Group, said: “The Fairtrade movement in the Yorkshire and Humber Region is quite strong and well established with many Fairtrade cities, towns, villages and schools.

“Our major universities are also signed up to using and promoting the Fairtrade brand along with many types of council, NHS agencies, all kinds of workplaces and well known companies.

“Churches and faith communities also play an important role in encouraging people to use the diverse range of products which originate from Fairtrade certified suppliers around the world.

“Seeking to make Yorkshire and the Humber the UK’s first Fairtrade region seemed to be a natural next step to join all this good work together.”