Fairer trading is approved in Warwick

Warwick Town Council has finally given its full approval to proposals to become a Fair Trade town and go for official accreditation.
Warwick mayor Moira-Ann Grainger got together for a knees-up with the FairTrade banana bunchWarwick mayor Moira-Ann Grainger got together for a knees-up with the FairTrade banana bunch
Warwick mayor Moira-Ann Grainger got together for a knees-up with the FairTrade banana bunch

A local steering group has been trying for years to win the full commitment of the town council to ensuring there are enough shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses offering not only coffee and tea but a range of commodities bought under the rules of international fair trading which gives a bigger share of the profits to smaller producers.

Most of these live in the developing world, although not all.

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Angela Everitt, who is a member of the Warwick steering group, wants to ensure not only the town council but enough local businesses are committed to the idea of offering alternatives to commercially-produced foodstuffs.

But being a Fair Trade town certainly doesn’t mean consumers can’t buy commercially produced goods.

Leamington has long held FairTrade accreditation.

Warwick Town Council was committed to the idea as long ago as 2007 but administration problems got in the way. Angela said: “We will now wait until after the general and local elections before applying to the Fair Trade Foundation for accreditation and inviting one or more members of the town council to join our steering group.

“We are absolutely delighted that our persistence has finally paid off.

“The agreement from members of the town council was unanimous.”

Notice of accreditation might come before the end of the year.

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