Dublin mayor unveils Fairtrade scheme

A campaign aimed at encouraging Dubliners to choose Fairtrade products was announced today.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Vincent Jackson

Fairtrade Fortnight, which takes place from February 26th to March 11th, was unveiled by the lord mayor, Cllr Vincent Jackson, who hoisted the first in a series of flags and banners promoting the initiative along the quays this morning.

Dublin City Council is hoping to establish Dublin as the first European Fairtrade capital city by encouraging the sale and purchase of goods direct from growers and suppliers in the developing world.

The Fairtrade movement aims for the highest impact possible on disadvantaged producers and workers in developing countries. It ensures that all producers in the Fairtrade system receive a "living" wage.

"We know that sales of Fairtrade products are growing at 40 per cent a year in Dublin so people are obviously interested and increasingly making the decision to choose Fairtrade", said the mayor.

"We hope that our flags and banners will help to remind everyone about Fairtrade Fortnight and that it will encourage them to choose Fairtrade products."

In 2005, worldwide sales of Fairtrade products amounted to approximately €1.1 billion worldwide, a 37 per cent increase over 2004. according to the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO).

In Ireland, Fairtrade products are now sold in most supermarket chains, including Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Londis, Centra, SuperValu and Spar.

Thomas Read Group, one of Ireland's largest bar operators switched to Fairtrade-certified organic coffee at its 16 outlets last year. O'Brien's Sandwich Bars now only serves Fairtrade tea, while last March, Marks & Spencer converted its entire range of tea and coffee to Fairtrade products.