Signing up for a Fair Trade Scotland

Motherwell and Wishaw MSP John Pentland is supporting the campaign to make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation.

John demonstrated his commitment by signing a card with the slogan “Scotland’s Going Fair Trade. Are You?”

The campaign, organised by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, aims to put together the bid for Scotland to be declared a Fair Trade Nation by increasing awareness and purchasing of Fair Trade products. As one of the first Fair Trade Nations in the world, Scotland will lead the way in ensuring producers from the developing world are paid the right price for their products so that they can work their way out of poverty.

John said “I am very pleased to give my support to the campaign to make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation. I know that many people in Motherwell and Wishaw support Fair Trade, and value the benefits that fairly traded produce can bring to farmers and producers in the developing world, helping to ensure that they get a fair deal. The fair trade movement has made huge strides with fair trade towns and communities across the country. Now we are within reach of becoming recognised as a fair trade nation.”

Fair Trade goods guarantee a fair price to producers in developing countries, as well as safe working conditions, no child labour, rights for women and protection of the environment. As a Fair Trade Nation, Scotland’s towns will have active Fair Trade groups, each city will have Fairtrade City status, and the Scottish Government will actively promote Fair Trade.

“We are delighted that so many MSPs are supporting the campaign”, said Martin Rhodes, Director of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum. “Cross-party support is vital to achieving Fair Trade status across the whole of Scotland. The support of John Pentland MSP is another boost for the campaign.”

Founded in 2007, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum is dedicated to helping Scotland become one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations. Through its work with the Fairtrade Foundation and other Fair Trade bodies in the UK and beyond, the organisation engages directly with dozens of Fair Trade groups, schools, universities, local authorities and others to support ongoing fair trade activity and encourage it to grow stronger.