Some good news on Fairtrade, and the work by many organisations that we’ve been highlighting: to make sure that the world’s poorest countries are not forgotten in post-Brexit trade negotiations.
Last year, the Fairtrade Foundation delivered a petition with 50,000 signatures to Theresa May, calling on her to embed the principles of Fairtrade into new trade deals between the UK and other countries. They report that they have now recieved a reply that makes a commitment, and opens the door to further action:
“In her letter to [Fairtrade Foundation] Chief Executive Michael Gidney, she says that her government is ‘committed to creating a trade policy that will work for everyone, including the world’s poorest.’ Read it in full here.
We’ve now got a clear commitment to ensuring the UK’s trade works for the poorest. But the campaign isn’t over yet. Liam Fox, our new International Trade Secretary, has already started informal trade talks with over ten countries including China, Australia and the US.
And we know that commitments can crumble when negotiations get down to the details. If he brokers a trade deal that favours a wealthier country, it could destroy the livelihoods of farmers in poorer countries who currently rely on the UK as their biggest market.”
This response from the Prime Minister is only a few words, but it provides a stepping stone for further action. Pop into Peace Hub to sign a postcard to your MP, calling on them to hold the government to the commitment they’ve set out in the letter.
The Fairtade Foundation also have an online petition to Liam Fox asking him to “seize this opportunity to deliver better trade that brings prosperity to the poorest countries around the world as well as the UK.” So now is the time to take action!
Peace Hub is highlighting this campaign as a positive action that fits with our current theme. It should not be inferred that the Fairtrade Foundation endorses Peace Hub. Photo: Number 10 (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)