04
Fair pace of progress
‘The Government is
committed to ensuring
that the sourcing of
Fairtrade goods is
part of all government
Minister of State for Overseas
departments’
Development Michael Kitt TD with
Dolores O’Meara and Sr Delia O’Connor
purchasing policy’
Michael Kitt TD, Minister of State for
Overseas Development, on the increasing
commitment from Ireland to support Fairtrade
THE Fairtrade movement has cited 2007 access Fairtrade-certified markets. programme for Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia The Government, as stated in the
as its best year ever in Ireland. There are A large proportion of this funding is and Uganda and hopefully this work can Programme for Government, is commit-
now 31 Fairtrade Towns and Cities going towards building the capacity of commence this year. ted to ensuring that the sourcing of
throughout the country and a further 30 Fairtrade producers in Central America, I am delighted to see Ugandan coffee Fairtrade goods, where possible, is part of
are seeking Fairtrade Town status. where the Irish Government has a strong producers, Tanzanian tea workers and all government departments’ purchasing
The growth in Fairtrade Towns and the track record in supporting market access Belizean cocoa producers represented in policy.
increasing awareness of the importance programmes with Fairtrade-certified this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight events According to a recent Millward Brown
of Fairtrade among Irish consumers is coffee and sesame farmers. around the country. IMS consumer survey, awareness of the
principally due to the hard work of 61 There are direct links with Irish compa- Here in Ireland, there is a growing Fairtrade label in Ireland has grown from
voluntary committees, north and south of nies through this programme, and the awareness of the importance and value of 16pc of Irish adults in 2002 to 53pc of Irish
the island. From Belfast to Bantry, more major benefit to small farmers lies in fair and ethical trade. More and more con- adults in 2007. Development education
people than ever are buying Fairtrade better access to markets in Europe and sumers are being won over to the and public awareness play a crucial role
products. North America as well as in Ireland. Fairtrade habit. What started off as niche in underpinning support for Irish Aid’s
The total turnover of Fairtrade in Fairtrade markets offer a fair price for products are increasingly becoming overseas development programmes and
Ireland in 2007 is estimated at €20m. This farmers’ produce. The price is sustained mainstream. for Fairtrade. To this end I have increased
is a great achievement for Irish con- even through times of market fluctua- Companies such as Bewley’s, Blakes Irish Aid’s support for development edu-
sumers and businesses. tions that cause loss of income, often with Organic Chocolate Company, Cafédirect, cation in Irish communities and schools. I
Increased trade, regionally and globally, a tragic impact on rural families. Java Republic Roasting Company, Robert am delighted that Fairtrade Mark Ireland
is central to sustained economic growth Although small-scale farmers produce Roberts, Insomnia Coffee Company and is launching Fairtrade Fortnight (25
for the world’s least-developed countries. most Fairtrade products, we support the many, many more now offer the con- February to 9 March) in the new Irish Aid
But it has to be the right kind of trade – work of the Fairtrade movement in sumer a range of Fairtrade products. Volunteering and Information Centre on
trade that empowers rather than exploits encouraging all employers to pay a decent Dunnes Stores sells only Fairtrade Dublin’s O’Connell Street.
communities. For this reason, Irish Aid wage, guarantee the right to join trade coffee in its restaurants; Bewley’s sells Last year, I was honoured to present the
is one of the largest international unions and provide good and safe condi- only Fairtrade coffee in its flagship first ever Fairtrade Town Awards as one of
supporters of Fairtrade. tions for their workers. Grafton Street outlet; O’Briens Sandwich my first duties as Minister of State for
Irish Aid is working with organisa- Bars sells only Fairtrade tea; SuperValu Overseas Development and I congratulate
tions such as the Irish Fair Trade Growing awareness sells an own-brand Fairtrade tea; Marks & Kinsale, the overall winner of the award.
Network to build the economic capacity With Irish Aid’s support, the Fairtrade Spencer sells 100pc Fairtrade teas and cof- Irish Aid is committed to working with
of some of the world’s least-developed movement is making great strides in fees in all its stores, and now has a range Fairtrade and Irish companies to promote
countries. Funding is provided to Central America. These efforts have been of Fairtrade cotton products; and Tesco fair trading. I am glad to see more and
support producers to improve the qual- so successful that the Irish Fair Trade and Superquinn stock a variety of more consumers playing their part and
ity of their products so they can Network is now preparing a similar Fairtrade products. making Fairtrade purchases a habit.
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