Carlow will receive official recognition as a Fair Trade Town next Tuesday March 6th . The recognition means that Carlow has obtained the required criteria of number of shops, restaurants businesses etc., and stocking Fair Trade products. Purchasing Fair Trade products, such as tea, coffee and fruit juices has a direct impact on Third World farmers, producers and their families Cllr. White added.”By choosing Fair Trade products ,consumers can help farmers and producers in the Third World struggling with prices which are at an all time low. In Ireland we drink over 20 million cups of tea per day. By choosing Fair Trade tea and other products, we can open the way for more producers to get a better deal for themselves and to live with greater dignity.

One in four Irish people now recognise the Fair Trade mark and it a tremendous honour for our Town to be awarded Fair Trade Status. On behalf of the Fair Trade Committee I would like to thank all the businesses and retail outlets in Carlow who are now stocking Fair Trade Products and both the Town Council and Carlow County Council who have pledged to support the initiative” Cllr. White concluded,”

The fact that Carlow has achieved Fair Trade status is a tremendous tribute to the hard work of the local committee and to business and commercial interests in Carlow Town who have wholeheartedly supported the initiative.

The official launch will take place in the Cathedral Parish Centre at 7pm-8.30pm. A Fair Trade DVD will be show with a guest speaker from the Windward Islands who is a Fair Trade producer and members of Fair Trade Mark Ireland who will present the award to the Carlow Fair Trade Committee.”

Filed under: Mary White TD