Many constituents have discussed the importance of Fairtrade with me at my street stalls and surgeries and over the years I’ve campaigned with ‘Christians Together in Dover’ to pressure international governments to secure better trade rules that will allow the world’s poorest countries to help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

Fairtrade Fortnight started this week – and I’d like to outline why fair trade is so important and how very small changes in our own shopping habits can make big differences to the world’s poorest people.

During this global economic downturn, it is vital that world trade continues. By buying food, gifts and other products from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

Fairtrade sales have become increasingly popular and research shows that nine out of ten UK shoppers said they were willing to pay a little extra for a product perceived to be ethical and fair. Every two years for the last ten, UK shoppers have doubled the amount of Fair Trade goods they buy. Fair trade sales in the UK have been growing on average at 40% per year and more than two thirds of UK households now purchase these goods.

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark in the UK. Around the world, there are over 800 Fairtrade-certified producer organisations representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers – and one of them visited me in Parliament on Monday, the first day of fair-trade fortnight.

I first met Innocent Muhereza, who lives in Uganda, in 2006 when I hosted a meeting for him in the Commons and brought him down to my constituency to meet with locals. He met with my colleagues and helped spread the fair-trade message. In the meantime he’s been back home campaigning with local farmers and traders.

When I greeted him this time I was able to confirm that, thanks to some excellent campaigning by our Town Councils – both Dover and Deal have obtained Fairtrade Status.

Labour has supported Fairtrade since 1997 with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID). But this year we are significantly boosting our help bringing another million producers into the scheme and enable 7 million more people in poor countries to benefit from a better deal offered by Fairtrade.

No country has reduced poverty in the last 30 years without also increasing trade. This is why we have led international efforts to secure fairer trade rules. The Government has significantly increased investment in ‘Aid for Trade’ and we’ve committed to provide at least £1 billion in each of the next 3 years to help aid trade and growth.

But there is also more that we can do as consumers. Where possible, swap your shopping for a Fairtrade labelled product and if there is no Fairtrade labelled alternative, ask the retailer to offer those products in the future.

By the time you read this column, Innocent will be on his way back to Uganda but here in Dover and Deal we will continue our Fairtrade campaigning and continue the fight against poverty.

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010