Monmouthshire County Council has just had its application to renew its Fairtrade County status approved by the national Fairtrade Foundation. 

The award is given in recognition of the strong support for Fairtrade within the county and the achievement of five qualifying goals such as a wide availability of Fairtrade products in local shops and catering outlets, high levels of support from local people, businesses, the council, faith groups and schools.

Monmouthshire has many Fairtrade schools who do a lot to teach all ages and the wider school community about Fairtrade.  The good work done by schools on Fairtrade formed part of the evidence in application to the Fairtrade Foundation.  Sustainability Policy Officer, Hazel Clatworthy visited one of them, Goytre Fawr Primary last week to celebrate with pupils and to take an assembly about Fairtrade for their Fairtrade week.

A lot of work goes into making Monmouthshire a Fairtrade county which has to be renewed every two years.  The council has to demonstrate that they are using and making Fairtrade products available, as well as helping our four very active Fairtrade Town groups to tell people about Fairtrade. 

The Fairtrade Foundation said: “Your group has demonstrated dedication to take your campaign forward and ensure Fairtrade becomes part of daily life in Monmouthshire. We were particularly impressed by the reach of your events by working jointly with Monmouthshire County Council and other Fairtrade town groups. You have managed to engage successfully with a great number of people through interesting speaker events”.

Some of the highlights over the last two years include the council’s Sports Development Team who now use Fairtrade sports balls for their work, as well as incorporating the Fairtrade town logos on new car park signage across the county.

Cabinet Member for Social Justice and Community Development, Cllr Sara Jones, said, “I’m delighted that we have renewed our Fairtrade County status once again, which will benefit so many farmers and growers in developing countries.  It takes ongoing commitment, energy and perseverance to keep Fairtrade high profile and in people’s minds. We are hugely grateful to the all volunteers in the Abergavenny, Chepstow, Monmouth and Usk Fairtrade Town groups who have all of these in abundance.”

Thanks to the ongoing support of the public and campaigners an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on Fairtrade terms, bringing them a stable income and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.