Local MP Andrew Jones continued his longstanding support of Fairtrade with events in Westminster and Harrogate as part of Fairtrade Fortnight. Andrew is no stranger to Fairtrade having been Harrogate Council’s Faritrade Champion while a Councillor. Andrew piloted changes to purchasing through the Council which enabled Harrogate to be declared a ‘Fairtrade Borough’.
In Westminster, Andrew joined Yorkshire Fairtrade business fairandfunky, other Yorkshire MPs and Foncho a Colombian Banana producer at an event to raise the profile of Fairtrade bananas.
In the UK, we eat over five billion bananas a year and giving developing countries a fair price for their produce can relieve poverty and help those countries trade their way out of dependence on aid.
Back home in the constituency Andrew joined Fairtrade Harrogate volunteers running the Fairtrade Fortnight Coffee Day at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate centre. As is tradition at these events Andrew brought homemade soup and helped the team clearing tables and kept the event running smoothly.
Andrew commented: Fairtrade is important. It isn’t paying people more than the market dictates for their produce – it is paying people a fair price so that they, their families and their communities can see real improvements in their everyday lives.
Fair prices also allow countries to trade their way out of poverty. Fair trading practices end exploitation of developing markets. Our spending choices here in Harrogate and Knaresborough have a real effect on the everyday lives of farmers and producers in many of the world’s poorest economies.
Main photograph: Andrew Jones MP and fellow Yorkshire MP meet Foncho. L to R: Stuart Andrew MP (Pudsey), Jason McCartney MP (Colne Valley), Foncho, Craig Whitaker MP (Calder Valley) and Andrew Jones MP.
