Yorkshire is Fairtrade pioneer (From Gazette & Herald)
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Yorkshire is Fairtrade pioneer
11:59am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News
YORKSHIRE has been officially declared the UK’s first Fairtrade region.
Towns and cities can secure Fairtrade status if they show adequate support for Fairtrade and after three years’ campaigning, Yorkshire has been certified a Fairtrade region.
The campaign received support from bishops, sportsmen, schools, universities, faith groups, MPs, councils and artists.
Mark Dawson, Fairtrade Yorkshire co-ordinator, said it was fantastic news, thanks to everyone who has bought, sold or supported Fairtrade in Yorkshire.
“The support has been amazing,” he said.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: “Having witnessed the results of Fairtrade when I visited the Ivory Coast in 2009, I know the simple choices we make in the supermarkets have a massive effect on improving the lives of those that live overseas. Workers should get a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work, regardless of wherever they live in the world.”
The declaration was made at a reception at York’s Mansion House, attended by Andy McQuade, permissibility manager of Nestlé UK & Ireland confectionery which is launching a Fairtrade two-finger Kit Kat, meaning York produces more thanr one billion Fairtrade Kit Kat bars a year.
