Scottish Fair Trade Forum

Patricia Ferguson, MSP, Shadow Minister for EU, External Affairs & Culture, introduced the Member's Motion which was selected for debate on 19 March 2008. She said, 'There is no doubt in my mind that the announcement by Jack McConnell in March 2005 that the then Scottish Executive would take a lead on this issue and would work to support the idea of Scotland becoming one of the world's first Fairtrade nations has helped to support the commitment that many already had. Funding of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, and the appointment of its co-ordinator, Betsy Reed, have allowed it to go from strength to strength. I have no doubt that the dedication and leadership of John McAllion as the Forum's first chair will also assist our country in achieving its ambition. It was good to celebrate Fairtrade fortnight with them and with others, but achieving Fairtrade town, village or nation status is only a means to an end. It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to the ideals of fair trade and to encourage others to understand them and embrace them. Of course, we do not just do that for the sake of it; we get involved in the Fairtrade movement because of the effect that it has on the producers.We know that this is an ill-divided world. If those of us who in relative terms have so much can pay a few more pence for goods here, the effect that we have can be disproportionate, especially on those who work so hard and so long to produce the goods that we enjoy. The Fairtrade premium that we pay helps to ensure that farmers and producers in other countries can have clean drinking water, health care and education for their children. However, it can go further than that. It also often allows farmers to have access to irrigation and seeds and fertilisers for the next season...’Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Goodman MSP added, ‘We move to the debate. A considerable number of back benchers wish to speak, so members have a tight four minutes.’MSPs who spoke in the debate, which was secured through a Member’s Motion by Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab) were:Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP),Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani)Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab)James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab)Shirley-Anne Somerville (Lothians) (SNP)Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)For full text of the debate, go to http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParli...and scroll down to Column 7113or click on the pdf below