Council leaders are bidding for Chelmsford to achieve the status of a Fairtrade town.

Fairtrade is a global campaign which promotes fairer trading conditions for producers in poorer countries.

Products can be awarded a Fairtrade mark if they meet certain standards in the way they are produced.

These include a guaranteed fair price for small scale producers and no child or forced labour being employed.

Three of Chelmsford Borough Council's leaders, councillors Roy Whitehead (Conservative), Philip Harvey (Liberal Democrat) and Adrian Longden (Labour) have put their names to a letter of support aimed at achieving Fairtrade status for Chelmsford.

Five goals must be achieved if a town to achieve Fairtrade status:

The council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade;

A range of Fairtrade products must be available in shops;

Fairtrade products should be used in local workplaces;

There should be media coverage and popular support for Fairtrade;

A Fairtrade steering campaign should be established.

The main Fairtrade products are certain brands of tea, coffee, chocolate, bananas and honey.

The council is already offering Fairtrade drinks for internal meetings and at the town's theatres.

Cllr David Lee, cabinet member for Human and Corporate Resources, said: "We are pleased to be able to deliver quality ethical products without spending any extra money and are also pleased to work with Chelmsford Fairtrade Group to promote awareness and support its principles."

A Chelmsford Fairtrade Town Campaign has been set up which is supported by community organisations, churches, schools and individuals across the town.

Published Monday January 3, 2005

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