Harper urges public sector to show some sweet charity

Published on Wednesday 24 December 2008 08:52

LOTHIANS Green MSP Robin Harper today urged public bodies to buy fair trade sugar to give a boost to farmers in Malawi.

He said opting for fair trade was one of the best ways to help the country, with which Scotland has established special links.

Figures released earlier this year showed the market for fair trade goods in Scotland would double if just 0.5 per cent of the 8 billion spent by the Scottish public sector was allocated this way.

Most fair trade sugar sold in the UK is from Malawi.

Mr Harper said: "Buying fair trade is one of the best ways Scots can provide support with dignity for Malawi and other developing countries. Income received through fair trade projects supports education, health services and clean water. If just 1 in every 200 spent by the Scottish Government went on fair trade goods, the support Scotland gives to fair trade producers would double.

"It's been more than two years since Scottish Ministers committed to making Scotland a 'Fair Trade Nation', an objective we wholeheartedly support. 2009 must be the year the Scottish Government and others deliver on that ambition, and make next Christmas sweeter for fair trade farmers around the world."