BARS AND restaurants in the Dáil and Seanad are to switch the bulk of their tea and coffee supplies to Fairtrade products as part of a Government commitment to support the ethical trading initiative.
Minister of State for Overseas Development Michael Kitt will today launch Fairtrade Fortnight, which this year focuses on the changes consumers and businesses can make to help the lives of people in developing countries.
"Everyone knows Fairtrade makes a difference," said Peter Gaynor, director of Fairtrade Mark Ireland. "It doesn't change the world on its own but it contributes to real and lasting improvements in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Third World producers."
Retail sales of Fairtrade Mark products increased by 74 per cent last year to exceed €20 million.
Most of the main retailers now stock a selection of Fairtrade tea and coffee, as well as new products such as wine, rice, chocolate, fruit, juices and clothing. Last week, Dublin was awarded "Fairtrade Capital City" status.
Cocoa, coffee and tea producers from Belize and east Africa will join the Minister for today's launch. One of them, Nimrod Wimbette from Uganda, says Fairtrade has brightened the horizons of her family: "The benefits include a guaranteed price for our product and a social premium for economic and social projects such as roads and schools."
Rainforest Alliance, which also certifies ethically produced goods, says it too is expanding in Ireland. Last year, the group reached agreements to provide certified coffee to McDonald's, Kenco and Aer Arann.