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SALISBURY has been granted Fairtrade City status by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Last year, Salisbury District Council pledged to support producers, workers and communities in developing countries by helping to make Salisbury an official Fairtrade city.

The council worked with the existing Salisbury Fairtrade Group to form a steering group to apply to the Fairtrade Foundation for Fairtade City status for Salisbury.

To be a Fairtrade city, the local council and other organisations must promote and support fair trade products and campaigns. There must be a range of Fairtrade products in the city's shops, local cafes and catering establishments. The local council and other key organisations must also commit to using fairly traded products in its meeting rooms, canteens etc. and to encouraging others to do the same.

Locally, over 60 local organisations, including shops, offices, cafes, schools, leisure facilities and churches, use or sell Fairtrade products.

By buying Fairtrade products people are directly helping producers and workers in developing countries receive better pay and conditions. This has an impact on the wider community and can lead to better water supplies, housing, schooling and healthcare.

Ruth Popplestone, Chair of the Salisbury Fairtrade Group, said; "I'm absolutely thrilled that our efforts have been recognised by the award of Fairtrade City status.

"We could not have achieved this without the help of many local people who have been involved since the local campaign began way back in 1999. I pay tribute to the contribution that everyone has made over the years.

"The Fairtrade scheme is about the developed world helping farmers and producers in developing countries to get a fair price for their crops and products to help ensure the health and sustainability of their communities.

"We must continue to press as many local organisations as possible to get on board and join the thousands of organisations throughout the UK supporting the Fairtrade movement."

Cllr Paul Clegg, the council's Fairtrade champion, said: "It's great news that we have been awarded fair-trade city status and a credit to a lot of hard work put in by many people.

"However, this is just the start of the process. There is still so much more we can all do to get a better deal for farmers and producers in developing countries and we have to continue to encourage people to use fairtrade products and to look out for the Fairtrade symbol when out shopping.

"If we all make Fairtrade products the first thing we look for, we can all help to improve the lives of families in rural parts of the developing world."

1:12pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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