FAIRTRADE AT UK UNIVERSITIES

Early day motion 122, tabled 26 November 2003 by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 92 members.

That this House welcomes the ongoing campaigns of student organisations led by People & Planet groups across the UK to get fair-trade accreditation for their university from the Fairtrade Foundation; urges universities and students' associations to respond positively to these campaigns by meeting the five goals set up by the Fairtrade Foundation, including requirements to stock and promote Fairtrade goods at university shops and outlets, serve Fairtrade products at university and student union meetings and establish a written policy and steering group on setting and meeting Fairtrade targets; believes such campaigns play an important part in raising the awareness of current unfair trade rules which force millions of people in developing countries into poverty and the pressing need for trade justice and in increasing the sale of products which benefit the world's poorest nations; congratulates the strong campaign of the Edinburgh University People & Planet Group to emulate Oxford Brooks in getting Fairtrade accreditation at Edinburgh University; urges students and the university to support this; and encourages UK universities to become officially accredited Fairtrade universities.

Signatures by party: Labour 56, Liberal Democrat 21, Labour/Co-operative 8, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1.