§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Government action to encourage fair trade initiatives. [135508]
§ Ms HewittI strongly support the aims of the Fairtrade movement. It gives a clear indication to consumers that disadvantaged producer groups in developing countries receive a minimum price above that offered by mainstream markets.
A real strength of the Fairtrade movement has been in raising awareness among mainstream retailers about the importance of managing supply chains to maximise benefits to the poor, and in raising public awareness of important development issues surrounding trade. That is why the Government, through the Department for International Development (DFID) has provided £500,000 in support of UK development awareness and education campaigns centred on Fairtrade over the past two years. My hon. Friend the Minister for Corporate and Social Responsibility met business leaders last year to encourage greater take-up of Fairtrade products. I have ensured that Fairtrade tea and coffee is made available throughout the DTI offices and many of my Cabinet colleagues have responded to my urging to do likewise.
The Fairtrade market, despite recent rapid growth, remains small (£63 million in 2002). Through DFID's support for initiatives such as the Ethical Trading Initiative (£1.3 million over three years 2002–04)—an alliance of UK retail companies, NGOs and trade unions working to improve labour conditions in the supply chains of its corporate members—we are able to contribute to improving the working conditions under which £100 billion of goods are produced each year.