Town aims for Fairtrade status (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town aims for Fairtrade status

3:45pm Friday 22nd February 2008

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MALMESBURY is setting out its stall at the farmers market on tomorrow to launch its bid for Fairtrade town status.

Consumers and traders are being approached to back the application by the town council, which could see a wider range of Fairtrade products being sold locally.

Cllr Simon Killane and his colleague Michael Thomas, who are on the steering group, this week put the case to the chamber of commerce.

At the weekend councillors will be running a stall offering information and Fairtrade goods to the public.

The controversial film Black Gold, highlighting attempts by farmers in poverty-stricken Ethiopia to squeeze their way into the global coffee market, is also being shown next weekend.

Cllr Killane said: "When I wanted to be a councillor it was one of the things I said I would try to do. I think it is very worthwhile and lots of other people in the council are very supportive of the idea."

The steering group has drawn in different sections of the community with the aim of persuading as many shops as possible to include a small selection of Fairtrade goods on their shelves to meet the standards laid down by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Some including Oxfam and the Co-op have offered them for some time.

Among the leaders of the movement in Malmesbury were pupils from the high school, who hold regular events as well as local scouts who organise Fair Trade breakfasts.

Consumer interest in the source of products and how fairly producers, particularly in developing countries, were treated was increasing.

"It is win win for the town," he said. "I think it gives the town more of an ethical dimension to be able to say it stands for something."

He added: "Fairtrade isn't just chocolates and bananas these days. It is clothing, it is lots of different types of products."

The market runs from 9am to 1pm at the Market Cross. Malmesbury Film Society is showing Black Gold in St Mary's Church Hall on March 8 at 7.30pm. Admission costs £2.

* SHOULD other Cotswold towns follow in Malmesbury's footsteps. Have your say.

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