Alliance Councillors pursue Fair Trade in practice as well as theory

12.40.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 30th Apr 2006

Chair of Association of Alliance Councillors & Campaigners

Alliance Party Councillors and Campaigners showed their determination to practise what they preach on Fair Trade at an Association meeting on Saturday morning -- sitting down to Fair Trade tea and coffee as they discussed following on from the successful proposal by the Alliance group in Castlereagh Council to pursue Fair Trade status for Dundonald.

Chairman Cllr Ian James Parsley stated: "It is remarkable what difference we at a local level can make to international causes when we put our minds to it.

"We insist on fair trade here at home, and there is no reason our standards should be any lower for third-world producers. It is essential we do what we can to ensure they are paid a fair price for a fair product.

"The youth wing of this party joined the 'Make Poverty History' campaign determined not just to make a lot of noise, but to make a lot of difference. I am delighted my colleagues are leading the way.

"Indeed, I was left wondering whether we should not have had Fair Trade milk!"

At its bi-monthly meeting in Belfast, the Association of Alliance Councillors and Campaigners, which brings together elected representatives and potential candidates for future elections, also discussed campaigns against library closures, moves to improve and modernize rail links, and proposals to tackle racism.

ENDS