MPs back Yorkshire Fairtrade move

John Healey, Kevin Barron and Denis MacShane have backed a Parliamentary motion for the regional accolade.

Mr Healey said: “There are more than 2,000 Fairtrade goods in the UK, so this is a everyone can play a part in making sure producers in the developing world are getting a fair deal.

“It is making a real difference. Giving a fair price means communities can get the things we think of as a basic right, like housing, health, education, food and clean water.

“Yorkshire becoming a Fairtrade region would send a clear message that we want to do our bit to help some of the world’s poorest people work their way out of poverty.”

Rotherham won Fairtrade status in 2006 and group chairman Cllr Ken Wyatt said the movement is firmly established across the county.

He added: “Our major universities are also signed up to using and promoting the Fairtrade brand along with many types of council, NHS agencies, all kinds of workplaces and well known companies.

“Churches and faith communities also play an important role in encouraging people to use the diverse range of products which originate from Fairtrade certified suppliers around the world.

“Seeking to make Yorkshire the UK’s first Fairtrade region seemed to be a natural next step to join all this good work together.”