Fair Trade now!

The economic crisis is starting to hit people all over the East of England, and all over the world. But those in the 'developing ' world are especially vulnerable. With developing countries refusing to sign up to the World Trade Organisation's 'neo-liberal' agenda, that would see their future unfairly sold off for the profit of European businesses, the EU is now bypassing multilateral trade talks and instead is bullying poor countries and regions into trading with it directly. The EU forces unfair conditions on developing world farmers and suppliers that will ensure they stay in poverty just so that the West can have cheap goods, even they are low quality and produced on the back of misery.

However, the current evidence is clear: Neo-liberalism has failed. The world fashioned from the unscrupulous depths of Thatcher and Reagan economics has come crashing down. People around the world, from Nairobi to Norwich, are realising that another world is possible. Free trade has made the poor poorer, concentrated the global wealth into fewer hands and made made sure perpetual poverty shrouds developing world farmers and producers.

We in the Green Party support Fair Trade over 'Free' Trade. With 'Fair Trade', producers in developing countries are guaranteed a fair wage for their produce and decent conditions in which to work. It offers those that work hard the chance to lift themselves out of poverty. This is right, and that is fair. It is inspiring to see how we can make a difference in an everyday way for people in the global community. 

Through Fair Trade, we can all make a difference and guarantee a better deal for third world producers which, ultimately, benefits us all.  As a Green Party MEP I will support Fair Trade against aggressive multinational supermarkets and unfair trade deals in the European Union.

In this season of goodwill, we need above all to show goodwill toward those over whom we have economic power, and who we can therefore help the most, by treating them fairly.