FAIR TRADE FOR BRITISH FARMING

Early day motion 622, tabled 18 December 2007 by Roger Williams (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 52 members.

That this House congratulates the Farmers' Guardian, Country Living Magazine and Waitrose on their successful campaign, Fair Trade for British Farming, and for the efforts of the campaign to promote a fair and sustainable price for the high quality food produced by British farmers; notes that most British consumers wrongly believe that the principles of fair trade are applied to British agriculture; acknowledges that over the last 10 years British farmers' income has fallen whilst that of major retailers has increased; recognises the important contribution British farming makes to the food supply, protecting the countryside, rural employment and combating climate change; further notes the recent Office of Fair Trading probe that uncovered price fixing by supermarkets; and calls on the Government to ensure that the Supermarket Code has real teeth and that a supermarket ombudsman is introduced.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 20, Labour 17, Conservative 5, DUP 5, Plaid Cymru 3, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.