This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland: a Fair Trade nation
27/01/2007
The first steps towards the creation of a Scottish Fair Trade Forum will be taken at a conference in Perth today.
International Development Minister Patricia Ferguson will speak to more than 150 organisations and individuals to underline the government's commitment to Fair Trade.
Last year the Executive announced a joint initiative with the Welsh Assembly Government to help both become Fair Trade Nations.
Wales already boasts a recognised and legitimate fair trade network to take the lead on this work.
The Scottish Fair Trade Forum, once created, will include representation from across Scotland and interest groups drawn from education, retail and local action groups.
Ms Ferguson said:
"Establishing a Scottish Fair Trade Forum is essential if we are to realise our ambition of making Scotland a Fair Trade Nation.
"We all share the same goal - to ensure workers across the developing world receive fairer prices and decent working conditions for the products we buy in Scotland.
"Our commitment to fair trade is at the centre of our national effort to help make poverty history. It forms a key part of the Scottish Executive's wider policy on international development."
Chris Hegarty, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)'s Advocacy Manager, said:
"SCIAF is delighted that the Executive and the MSPs on the Parliament's All Party Group on Fair Trade are giving this event their support. Fair Trade is an area in which all Scottish consumers, including the Executive, can take practical steps to help alleviate poverty overseas. We hope that the Forum we're launching today will work together with our politicians of all parties to make real difference."
Rachel Farey, Business Manager with One World Shop Ltd. She said:
"For many years Scotland's fair trade activists, educators, retailers and businesses have been working extremely hard to promote fair trade.
"I think today's conference will make a significant contribution towards making Scotland a Fair Trade country and thereby improving the lives of thousands of producers in the South."