Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has warmly welcomed the formation of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fairtrade to stand up for fairtrade farmers around the world.
Catherine attended the launch of the new group at a special event held in Parliament this week to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, which this year is taking place from 29th February-13th March.
Speaking at the event were two Fairtrade farmers, Julio Mercado Cantillo, a Colombian banana farmer and Patrick Kaberia Muthaura, a tea farmer from Kenya, both of whom have travelled to the UK for Fairtrade Fortnight. They discussed this year’s campaign, which highlights the hunger faced by millions of farmers in developing countries who, despite working hard to grow some of the UK’s favourite foods, do not earn enough to know where their next meal is coming from.
The event was also supported by UK retailer, the Co-operative, which is doubling donations during Fairtrade Fortnight as part of its online http://www.growingstories.coop/ project, which shares the experiences of farmers with the UK public.
Catherine said:
‘I am a proud and passionate supporter of Fairtrade Fortnight, as campaigning on this issue is how I first became involved in politics as a young student.
‘It’s just not acceptable that people continue to live in poverty and hunger around the world, despite working hard to produce the food and goods we take for granted here in Britain.
‘Julio and Patrick made clear how becoming fairtrade farmers has transformed their lives, and it’s only right that others around the world also have this opportunity.’