Rosie Cooper MP is encouraging shoppers in West Lancashire to buy Fairtrade products during this Fairtrade Fortnight (22^rd February – 7^th March).

Rosie Cooper MP said: “Small changes in our shopping habits can make a big difference to the world’s poorest people. By buying food, gifts and other products from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

“When consumers and retailers act together to promote and buy goods from developing countries, we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”

Rosie welcomed the Government’s plan to boost funding for the Fairtrade labelling system and urged shoppers in West Lancashire to look for the Fairtrade Mark on food, gifts and other products in the shops.

Since 2007, Burscough has been a Fairtrade town, making a pledge to provide as many Fairtrade products available to the public.

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark and there are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers in developing countries. Labour’s latest investment will bring another 1 million producers into the scheme and enable 7 million more people in poor countries to benefit from a better deal offered by Fairtrade.

Douglas Alexander, Labour’s International Development Secretary, said: “Rosie has been a passionate campaigner on fair trade. I hope shoppers across West Lancashire will join her during Fairtrade fortnight and take the chance to swap their usual shopping for Fairtrade products.”