Scottish Fair Trade Forum takes its place for the first time at the Royal Highland Show

Scotland and Malawi focus on a 'fair deal' for farmers

For the first time, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum (SFTF) is hosting a stand at the Royal Highland Show. The stand aims to raise public awareness of common challenges faced by Scottish farmers and Fair Trade producers in the developing world - challenges like getting a fair price for their products and the impact of climate change.

The stand is on Avenue H, space 141a in the Showground.

On Friday 26 June, the SFTF is co-hosting a VIP Fair Trade Tea Party with Imani Development and the Scottish Government, at which Trumper Teas will launch a new Fairtrade Malawian tea. The event will provide a forum for high-level discussion of both Fair Trade and local farming and guests will include Malawian High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Dr. Moto and SFTF Chair, Martin Meteyard.

The VIP Fair Trade Tea Party will take place at the Royal Bank of Scotland stand (Avenue J, stand 134), Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on Friday 26 June, 17:00 - 18:00.

The SFTF stand at the Royal Highland Show will be shared with organisations doing work in Malawi, with the help of Scottish Government funding, and will be an opportunity to learn more about Fair Trade and Scotland's Fair Trade Nation campaign, buy Malawian fairly traded products and hear first-hand accounts of the impact Fair Trade has had on the lives of Malawian farmers.

Malawian High Commissioner, H.E. Dr F. Moto commented:

'Scotland and Malawi have much to share with one another as we face challenging economic times. Farmers in Scotland and in Malawi face common issues and both deserve a fair deal for their produce. Malawians cannot wait for global trade rules to be rewritten; what we need are truly equal working and trading partnerships that empower people to improve their own lives and communities. We look forward to continuing to work together, forging equitable partnerships and sharing expertise.'

Betsy Reed, Director of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, added:

"Through our presence at the Royal Highland Show, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum is deepening key working relationships with Scottish famers and leading the way for Fair Trade organisation both at home and abroad. Scotland is well on its way to becoming one of the world's first Fair Trade Nations and promoting a fair deal for farmers everywhere is part of that. We will continue to work closely with organisations like the National Farmers Union Scotland to promote fairness in all aspects of Scotland's trading relationships.'

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NOTES

  • The Scottish Fair Trade Forum's work to highlight common issues faced by Scottish farmers and Fair Trade producers comes at a time when the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs Committee is recommending that a Supermarkets Ombudsman be set up to help mediate between suppliers and supermarkets over prices.  



    

  • In November 2008 the SFTF and National Farmers union Scotland led the way in the UK by issuing a joint statement, calling for a 'fair deal' for all farmers. Fair Trade Wales and the Farmers Union of Wales quickly followed this lead, issuing a joint statement of their own. 
    To see the Scottish statement: http://stackyard.com/news/2008/11/nfus/04_fair_trade_forum.html
    To see the Welsh statement: http://www.fuw.org.uk/FairTrade.html
     
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  • In January 2009, 73% of Scots polled said they would continue to buy Fairtrade/fair trade products: of that 73%, 6% stated they would increase the number of Fairtrade/fair trade products they buy, in spite of the current economic climate. 
     
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  • Imani Development started life in 1982 in Zimbabwe to assist in the process of economic growth and development in developing countries, particularly in Eastern and Southern Africa. For more information on Imani Development, see: http://www.imanidevelopment.com/ 
     
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  • The Scottish Fair Trade Forum exists to support and grow existing fair trade activity throughout Scotland as it works toward a set of criteria to become a Fair Trade Nation. To see this criteria, see: http://www.sftf.org.uk/who-we-are/fair-trade-nation-criteria/
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