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Fairtrade gets council vote
A town council has agreed to recognise and support the principles of Fairtrade.
Members of Biggleswade Town Council voted to back the movement – which works to ensure fair prices and trade terms for farmers and workers – at a meeting on Tuesday (August 28).
Councillor Bernard Briars brought the motion to the council following discussions with the Fairtrade Association Biggleswade (FAB).
Mr Briars said: “Fairtrade is an important cause, not just for farmers in developing countries but for those in the UK and very locally.
“The recent protests by dairy farmers over milk price cuts in different parts of the country have shown just how important an issue this is.”
Councillor Madeline Russell was happy to support the ethos of Fairtrade.
She said: “I have looked at the Fairtrade website which outlines its main principles, which I largely agree with.”
But Councillor Steve Watkins was more sceptical.
He said: “I would have to say that when you scratch beneath the surface the ways in which Fairtrade is carried out leave a lot to be desired.
“If we were voting on actually becoming a Fairtrade town then I would have a bit more to say but I would cautiously agree to back this.”
FAB chairman Neil Spencer attended the meeting and was pleased with the overall response from councillors.
Speaking after the meeting, he said: “I’m very happy that the town council has agreed to support Fairtrade. I’m very optimistic about the future.”
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Weather for Biggleswade
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 15 C
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Wind direction: North west
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