Junior MInister Kelly celebrates fairtrade fortnight

Junior Minister Gerry Kelly raised a celebratory cuppa as he poured praise on the Fairtrade Award winners announced during a special reception in Stormont today.

The event was one of several being hosted across the city during Fairtrade Fortnight which runs until 9 March, to promote Fairtrade and maintain Belfast’s accreditation as a Fairtrade City.

The Minister said: “In organising and promoting Fairtrade Fortnight 2009, you are setting an example to others and offering insight and education in equal measure.

“Clearly, there are inextricable links between Fairtrade and inter-culturalism and citizenship. These links resonate with the high-level ambitions of our Programme for Government, in which we seek to grow a dynamic and innovative economy, which in turn, helps create a fair and prosperous society, built upon the principles of equality and sustainability.

“Fairtrade, from producers to policy-makers; from growers to government, is a positive agent for change, and is a collective responsibility.

“It is fitting that today’s event is being hosted in Parliament Buildings as only Fairtrade tea and coffee are served here to the MLAs, Ministers and staff. That amounts to some 45,000 cups of tea and coffee each year so we too are taking a leaf out of your book to contribute, even in a small way, to help benefit developing countries.”

Fairtrade is a mechanism that guarantees a minimum price, to small farmers and cooperatives in the developing world.

The awards are issued in recognition of the work of local shops, restaurants and cafes which actively promote and sell Fairtrade products.

The Junior Minister was joined at the event with Costa Rican Wilbert Valverde, a member of the Fairtrade team at COOPEAGRI, a coffee and sugar cooperative, who spoke about his experiences as a registered producer.

Notes to Editors:

1. Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 is organised by the Belfast Fairtrade Committee, whose remit is to promote Fairtrade

2. In June 2005 Belfast was awarded its first Fairtrade City status from the UK Fairtrade Foundation and the Status was recently renewed until 2011. In May 2007 Belfast was awarded its second Fairtrade City status from Fairtrade Mark Ireland.

3. Fairtrade Fortnight is a platform for supporting groups, retailers and commercial partners to promote Fairtrade Mark and the Fairtrade products on which it appears.

4. The Fairtrade Award winners are:

• Best Independent Retailer – Oxfam Fairtrade Shop, Rosemary Street, Belfast
• Best Supermarket – Co-op
• Best Café – Grounded Expresso Bar, Boucher Retail Park
• Best Employer – Oxfam Ireland
• Best Bar/Restaurant – The John Hewitt
• Outstanding Contribution – Margaret Carr, Fairtrade and Commercial Products Manager, Oxfam Ireland.

5. Media queries to OFMDFM Press Office, Tel: 028 9037 8204. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.