Renfrewshire is now a Fairtrade zone

Feb 6 2009 by Gavin Pennie, Paisley Daily Express

CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating today after Renfrewshire was officially named as Scotland’s newest Fairtrade Zone.

The Paisley Daily Express can reveal that Renfrewshire has been awarded Fairtrade Zone status by the Fairtrade Foundation.

The prestigious honour has been bestowed on the Paisley area following a hugely successful campaign by Renfrewshire Council, local voluntary organisations, schools, churches and businesses.

And the Express played its part by highlighting all of the great efforts being made in Renfrewshire to promote the Fairtrade movement, which guarantees fair prices and conditions for Third World producers.

The award is a major achievement as Renfrewshire has become one of only a handful of local authority areas in Scotland to be awarded Fairtrade status.

This follows on from the success of Paisley, Bishopton and, most recently, Lochwinnoch, which have already been awarded Fairtrade town and village status.

And Trinity High, in Renfrew, became the first Fairtrade secondary school in Scotland.

Last night, Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay, said the award is “fantastic news” for the Paisley area.

Councillor Mackay, who is also chair of the Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Group, added: “Fairtrade guarantees fair prices and conditions for Third World producers and a large number of farmers say that it would be impossible to continue farming without Fairtrade.”

The Fairtrade Foundation called the Renfrewshire campaign “incredibly impressive” and praised the widespread enthusiasm and energy in the area for Fairtrade.

Hannah Reed, campaign manager with the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “It is a great pleasure to award Renfrewshire with Fairtrade Zone status.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to learn about all that’s been going on in Renfrewshire and a real example of what can be achieved in a relatively short space of time if the energy, commitment and dedication are there.

“With two billion people in developing countries struggling to survive on less than two dollars a day and many more pushed into chronic hunger by rising food and fuel prices, Fairtrade is needed now more than ever.

“Renfrewshire has shown today that all of us can make a difference and bring about positive change by choosing Fairtrade”

Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Group was established in November 2007 and consists of members from Paisley, Bishopton and Lochwinnoch Fairtrade groups, Rainbow Turtle, Reid Kerr College, the University of West of Scotland, local businesses and Renfrewshire Council.

A wide range of events and initiatives have been held across Renfrewshire since then, including:

l A Fairtrade Roadshow during Fairtrade Fortnight 2008.

l The Fair in the Square event in County Square, Paisley, to celebrate five years of Paisley being a Fairtrade town.

l The launch of a new Spirit of Fairtrade Award, sponsored by the Piazza Shopping Centre, at the Provost’s Community Awards 2009.

l And a Fairtrade stall at the opening ceremony of the new St Mirren Park stadium last Saturday.

The steering group were also the only Scottish winner at last year’s Fairtrade Foundation awards, picking up the award for Outstanding Achievement.

Councillor Mackay added: “Over the past 15 months, a huge amount of effort has gone into making Renfrewshire a Fairtrade area. I’d like to thank all the schoolchildren, church groups, local voluntary groups and businesses, big and small, for their tremendous support.

“I am extremely proud of the deep commitment shown by the people of Renfrewshire to supporting Third World producers and want to reassure everyone that the effort will not stop here.

“We will be continuing to support local businesses in becoming Fairtrade retailers and users. We will also be working with more Renfrewshire towns and villages to help them achieve Fairtrade status on a local level.”

MEPC Hillington Park, which is Scotland’s largest business park and the location for more than 350 businesses, is the Fairtrade campaign’s flagship employer.

Alison Clark, customer manager at MEPC Hillington Park, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the news that Renfrewshire is now a Fairtrade county.

“Renfrewshire’s commitment to Fairtrade sits well with MEPC’s sustainability objectives and we have been very pleased to back this campaign.”