FALKIRK COULD HOST FIRST FAIRTRADE MOD

More people are buying it and more people want to know about it - Fairtrade sales are on the increase in the Falkirk Council area.

And it's hoped more Fairtrade products will become available if ‘Fairtrade Zone' status is secured which will cover the whole of the Falkirk Council area.

It is also hoped that Fairtrade status will be conferred on Falkirk District in time for the Royal National Mod coming to the area in October

There's a higher level of awareness than ever before and that can be seen by the marked increase in Fairtrade purchases in the Falkirk Council area and across the UK as a whole. Fairtrade goods are widely available now locally and Falkirk Council has a key role in supporting its growth.

Already Fairtrade produce is available at Callendar House, Municipal Buildings and more and more services are now using only Fairtrade tea and coffee at meetings. Today we have made a further commitment to Fairtrade and we look forward to achieving Fairtrade Zone status for the whole of the Council area.

Fairtrade purchases in the UK are increasing at a rate of 40% year on year. And this trend is reflected in the Falkirk area with reports of a marked increase in the number of individuals, community groups and local businesses requesting, buying or stocking Fairtrade products.

Falkirk town achieved Fairtrade status in May 2006 and since then a range of Fairtrade products have been available in local shops and cafes. At the moment 39 retail outlets are involved and 21 cafes and catering outlets.

A partnership has been set up to take forward the campaign to achieve ‘Fairtrade Zone' status. They must meet five objectives before the area can become a ‘Fairtrade Zone'. They are:

• Local authority must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade and agrees to serve Fairtrade tea and coffee at its meetings, in offices and canteens
• A range of at least two Fairtrade products are readily available in the area's shops, cafes and catering establishments
• Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places - estate agents, hairdressers - and community organisations
• Attract media and community support for the campaign.