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Sunday, 24 February 2008, 01:10 GMT

Fairtrade nation campaign backed

Costa Rican banana worker The campaign to make Scotland one of the world's first Fairtrade nations has been given backing from the Scottish Government.

To claim the title, every city and 55% of local authority areas have to achieve Fairtrade status.

Linda Fabiani, external affairs minister, said the Scottish Fair Trade Forum's interim board would meet for the first time next week.

Her comments came ahead of Fairtrade Fortnight, which begins on 25 February.

The event aims to raise awareness of what can be done to encourage fair prices for goods produced in developing countries and better working conditions for people there.

Ms Fabiani said: "The Fairtrade movement has already made a huge and positive difference to the lives of many thousands of producers in developing countries.

"By encouraging consumers to buy more Fairtrade products, we will be helping producers in developing countries to receive a fair price for their products and improve their working conditions."

Fairtrade nations require annual 5% increases in the proportion of the population who know about Fairtrade issues - Scotland currently stands at 45%.

The criteria also specifies that at least 75% of people have to buy a Fairtrade product every year, with 40% buying such goods regularly.

Scotland's Fairtrade Fortnight will run until 9 March.



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Related to this story:
Council call for Fairtrade status (20 Feb 08 |  Tayside and Central )
Fairtrade seeks £50m investment (27 Feb 07 |  Business )
Fiery start for Fairtrade event (26 Feb 07 |  Scotland )
Fairtrade recognition for Glasgow (09 Mar 06 |  Scotland )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Fairtrade Fortnight
Scottish Government
Fairtrade Food
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