Fairtrade pledge follows Live8

Three Rivers District Council is pledging to play its part in helping to reduce world poverty this week following the G8 summit in Edinburgh and Live8 concerts around the world, through working to support Fairtrade.

Campaign groups in Abbots Langley, Rickmansworth and Croxley Green have been working hard recently to encourage local shops and businesses to use and sell fairly traded products, following the District Council's pledge of support last year.

Local support for Fairtrade means more fairly traded products will be available from local shops, cafes, restaurants and in workplaces. A Fairtrade label on a product means a fair price and decent working conditions for the growers, no child labour and no exploitation which helps to combat poverty in developing countries.

Portfolio holder for public services and health, Councillor Phil Brading, a member of the Rickmansworth and Croxley Green Fairtrade steering group, said:

"With all the attention that is focussed on world poverty this week at the G8 summit and Live8 concerts, it is so important that we continue our commitment to Fairtrade in Three Rivers. Everyone can help to make a difference - there are hundreds of products which are increasingly easy to get hold of. We would encourage all residents to talk to their local shops about stocking Fairtrade products."

Fairtrade products are available from Traidcraft and Co-op in Croxley Green, and Tesco, Oxfam and Oasis Healthfoods in Rickmansworth.

For more information on Fairtrade products, people can visit  www.fairtrade.org.uk  or contact 020 7405 5942.