Sykes backs Fairtrade Fortnight

Howard Sykes

RESIDENTS are being urged to get behind Fairtrade Fortnight 2016.

Councillor Howard Sykes, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council, is supporting the annual event — which runs until March 13 — to help support farmers and growers living in poor communities around the world.

Councillor Sykes said: “Lack of food security is one of the world’s most critical issues.”

Research shows that half of the world’s hungry people, nearly 400 million, are estimated to live on small farms.

Councillor Sykes added: “The Liberal Democrats strongly support the Fairtrade movement which guarantees the world’s poorest farmers and workers a decent and stable income for the products that they grow or make and bring to market. I’m proud that during my administration, our council became a local authority committed to purchasing and promoting Fairtrade products.

“I am now asking as many people in our borough as possible to get involved this Fairtrade Fortnight by purchasing products displaying the Fairtrade symbol.”

You can find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight, and how to get involved, at www.fortnight.fairtrade.org.uk.