PALESTINIAN FARMERS

Early day motion 1107, tabled 16 March 2010 by Baroness Clark of Kilwinning (Labour). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes with concern the decision of the UK Border Agency to deny visas to three Palestinian farmers, Lina Mahmoud, Nahed Beshariah and Belal Eid, who were hoping to visit the UK to mark Fairtrade Fortnight; congratulates these three individuals for their hard work in being involved in the production of the first ever Fairtrade product from the occupied territories; supports the excellent work of Zaytoun in exporting Fairtrade olive oil from the West Bank to the UK; further notes that in 2009 the Prime Minister expressed himself as being delighted with the initiative; and therefore urges the Government to intervene and allow these farmers entry into the UK.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 8, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Scottish National Party 2, Conservative 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.