MP CHAMPIONS FAIR TRADE SCHOOLS

12.00.00am GMT Tue 19th Feb 2008

Local Lib Dem MP, Sandra Gidley has today urged all local schools to sign up to the Fairtrade Schools scheme.

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 25 February to 9 March, Mrs Gidley will be writing to schools in the Romsey constituency urging them to begin the process to become a 'Fairtrade School'.

The scheme includes educating pupils about Fairtrade and encourages the use of Fairtrade products within the school. Perhaps most importantly, schools can also achieve 'Fairtrade' status through continued and direct input by pupils.

Fairtrade hopes to have a total of 2,000 primary and 500 secondary schools fully certified as 'Fairtrade Schools' by 2009. So far only 1,000 schools in the UK have registered with the scheme and Sandra hopes that local schools can help swell the numbers.

Sandra said:

"The growth in Fairtrade initiatives is very impressive and the efforts to improve awareness in schools are particularly important.

"Despite huge increases in the sale of Fairtrade products in the UK, total sales in 2003 represented only 0.17% of total spending on food and drink. This highlights that there is so much more to be done and our schools are a vital way to show all local people that we can make a difference. I also hope that local children will take the message of Fairtrade home to their parents.

"The Fairtrade Foundation has set an ambitious target for schools to participate in their scheme and I hope many local schools will lead the way and embrace this project."

ENDS.