"EUROPE ACTS TO BACK FAIR TRADE" MEP

5.29.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Jul 2006

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat Spokeswoman on human rights, today welcomed the overwhelming support of MEPs in backing an own-initiative report on the development of Fair Trade in Europe.

Overall sales of Fair Trade products in Europe were worth 660 million euros in 2005 with, for example, 20% of ground coffee in the United Kingdom coming via the Fair Trade route.

Commenting from the European Parliament today Liz Lynne, a long-term supporter of Fair Trade said:

"Recent research shows that Fair Trade sales in Europe have been growing at an average 20% per year since 2000. European consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing products that were produced and traded under fair conditions. However, this demand varies widely among EU Member States."

"What we need to do now is develop a coherent EU-wide policy on Fair Trade and I believe that today's vote is an excellent first step in this process. I would call on the European Commission to heed these calls and develop a framework for Fair Trade in Europe. People say life isn't fair, but trade should be."

ENDS