The European Parliament this week adopted a Resolution ‘on a New Trade Policy for Europe under the Europe 2020 Strategy in response to the European Commission proposal on new EU trade policy.

MEPs, including Welsh Labour’s DEREK VAUGHAN, called again for the European Commission to ensure coordinated policies in support of Fair Trade.

Mr Vaughan, a keen supporter of the Fair Trade movement, said:

“The European Parliament has been very clear and consistent in its repeated calls to ensure coordinated policies to support Fair Trade.”

“Wales has a proud record when it comes to Fairtrade when we became the world’s first Fairtrade nation back in 2008.  Town, cities and counties across Wales are working together to encourage schools, businesses and other organisations to switch to Fairtrade and I would like to see the same approach taken EU-wide.”

A recent Eurobarometer report confirms that Europeans cannot be considered passive consumers: social and ethical concerns are among their criteria when buying a product or a service”. It concludes on this point “This may need to be factored into decision-making relating to future trade policy priorities”.

Mr Vaughan added:

 “An increasing number of EU citizens are choosing products which are produced under certain social and environmental standards or to support a developing country. It is high time the European Union matches this with coherent policies to reflect Fair Trade principles across EU policies”.

“Fairtrade is all about building relationships with producers in developing countries and creating opportunities for them to receive a fair price for their goods to work their way out of poverty.  The EU is in a unique position and should use that to its advantage to make a huge difference by implementing the principles of Fairtrade in all of it policies.”




- Thursday, 29 September 2011 -