Published on:
24
September 2012
Clackmannanshire officially received their certificate this week to confirm that the county has been elevated to being a Fairtrade Zone.
The certificate, from Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, was proudly paraded this week by Clackmannanshire Council's Provost Tina Murphy, John Lamond, chairman of the local Fairtrade Steering Group, Rebecca Bell, Clackmannanshire Council's Sustainability Officer, Andrew Mitchell of BIDS and Eileen Martin, a member of the Fairtrade Steering Group.
Provost Tina Murphy, who represents Clackmannanshire Council on the steering group, said: "I am absolutely thrilled and delighted that the county has been recognised by the Fairtrade Foundation as a Fairtrade Zone and been presented with this certificate.
"The group has run a number of events in Clackmannanshire to raise awareness of Fairtrade, as well as working with individual schools and businesses, and this award has been earned by so many dedicated people. My congratulations to them all."
Mr Lamond said: "This is the result of over a year's work by the Clackmannanshire Fairtrade steering group, which is made up of local volunteers, who are dedicated to making world trade fair, with support from Council officers, the Co-operative Group and the Alloa Town Centre BID. We were told it would take us at least two years to achieve Fairtrade status."
Clackmannanshire's Fairtrade steering group was formed in Summer 2011 made up of volunteers from Clackmannanshire's communities who are committed to promoting Fairtrade and working for trade justice.
In January 2012 the Council unanimously passed a resolution agreeing to support Fairtrade and supporting the bid for Clackmannanshire to become a Fairtrade Zone.
Provost Murphy added: "To be awarded Fairtrade Zone status, the steering group had to achieve a number of goals including one of the most important, that a range of Fairtrade products had to be readily available in the area's shops and served in local cafes and catering establishments."
Fairtrade products are used by an appropriate number of local work places and community organisations in Clackmannanshire and have attracted media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
The group has run a number of public events, including an African cooking evening, an art competition for children, a talk by a Palestinian olive oil producer, and a Fairtrade Fayre in Alloa High Street.
The steering group also worked closely with local schools and businesses to raise awareness of Fairtrade and increase the use and availability of Fairtrade products.
Provost Murphy went on: "The Fairtrade steering group is looking forward to continuing the campaign and contributing to making world trade more fair. There are plans for Alloa, Dollar and Alva to apply to be recognised as Fairtrade Towns."
As well as the certificate, the county were also presented with a Fairtrade banner, which will be displayed at all events, including Fairtrade Fortnight in February/March 2013.
Following on from the Fairtrade Zone award, Alva is now going for Fairtrade Town status.
There will be a public meeting for anyone interested in joining the Alva Fairtrade Town steering group at 140 West Stirling Street, Alva's Fairtrade shop, on Friday 5th October at 2.30pm