Long backs launch of first local Fairtrade tea product

12.55.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Jun 2007

Alliance Party Vice Chair and Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long

Alliance Party Vice Chair and Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long has welcomed news that the first local Fairtrade tea product has been launched by Punjana. He stated that the sale of this product will help tea producers in the developing world to gain a fair deal. Cllr Long has been campaigning for years on Fairtrade issues and has been working towards making Dundonald a Fairtrade village.

The Castlereagh Councillor said: "I am very pleased to hear that Punjana have launched a Fairtrade tea product. This product is the first every locally made Fairtrade tea.

"I would strongly encourage local people to buy Fairtrade products as they ensure a fair deal for farmers in the developing world.

"We have consistently campaigned to get Castlereagh Borough Council to use more Fairtrade products, and we put forward a motion to the council in 2005 demanding these measures.

"I have also been campaigning to get Dundonald designated as a Fairtrade village, in order to further promote these products locally. We strongly support Fairtrade products because the cash generated helps safeguard equality and ensure sustainable growth in developing countries."

ENDS