Valley becomes fair trade zone

The Dyfi Valley is one of the most picturesque areas in Wales

A valley in the heart of rural Wales may have become the first in the UK to achieve fair trade status.

More than 1,000 individuals and 10 businesses in the Dyfi Valley supported the deal which offers producers in the developing world a better deal.

Fair trade aims to help farmers work their way out of poverty.

The Fairtrade Foundation said it believed the Dyfi was the first valley to gain the title.

To become a fair trade zone, a region has to meet certain goals.

Abi Murray, of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: "As far as I know Dyfi Valley is the first valley in the UK to be awarded fair trade status."

We don't want to exploit producers in developing countries Nicola Ruck, Dyfi Valley for Fairtrade

Nicola Ruck, secretary of the Dyfi Valley for Fairtrade group, said there had been co-ordinated effort by individuals and businesses in Machynlleth, Aberdyfi and Tywyn and surrounding areas.

"There's been a commitment in the Dyfi Valley to support good trade with developing countries.

"There's been support by 1,100 individuals and 10 businesses including cafes and bed and breakfasts.

"We don't want to exploit producers in developing countries."

People in the Dyfi Valley had been campaigning for fair trade for three years, with about 20 volunteers working closely with communities.

Products such as fair trade tea and coffee were now available in shops and cafes and local councils have passed a resolution supporting the movement. They serve fair trade coffee and tea at their meetings, in offices and canteens - a stipulation of the foundation.

The scheme guarantees a decent wage to developing countries' producers

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), based near Machynlleth, supported the Dyfi Valley campaign.

There are separate fair trade definitions. Wrexham and now the Dyfi Valley are classed as two of the UK's 76 fair trade zones.

But Cardiff is classed as a fair trade city - the world's first capital to achieve that status - and two years ago Ammanford, in Carmarthenshire, became the first in Wales to become a fair trade town.

Other areas in Wales are designated fair trade and they include Criccieth, in Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Swansea and Flintshire.