Full Support for Fairtrade

A very successful and well attended Fairtrade Reception was held at Dover Town Council to celebrate the continuance of Dover and Deal as Fairtrade Towns. Rev Andy Bawtree of River Parish Church and Rebecca Turner from the Fairtrade Foundation were guest speakers. Rebecca spoke about changes taking place including new initiatives for Fairtrade producers and gave a taste of what next year’s Fairtrade Fortnight will be about. The Fairtrade Foundation is working in partnership with companies committed to the Fairtrade ethos but whose products do not carry the Fairtrade logo. Rebecca also explained that some companies such as Sainsbury’s are now selling tea branded as “Fairly Traded” which does not have the same production protections as tea produced to Fairtrade standards. The Fairtrade Foundation and partners such as CAFOD and Traidcraft are protesting and campaigning against this development. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.

Pam Brivio, Secretary of Dover Fairtrade Town Network said

“It was good to have the Mayor of Dover, Councillor Neil Rix and Deputy Mayor of Deal, Councillor Nick Tomaszewski here giving their support and pleasing to have many people attending their first Fairtrade event. Everyone spoke about how informative the presentation and event had been”