Campaigners mark 20 years of being Fairtrade island

Campaigners are celebrating 20 years of Guernsey being a Fairtrade island, saying everyday shopping choices can continue to improve the lives of producers around the world.

The Fairtrade scheme aims to ensure farmers and workers receive fairer prices and working conditions for producing goods such as coffee, chocolate and bananas.

The island received the status in 2006 in recognition of its commitment to Fairtrade products, which are now used across the hospital, prison and a number of schools.

Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group is hosting a series of community events to mark the anniversary, with member Steve Mauger praising the "very, very good" support from island businesses over 20 years.

Mauger said visits to the island from overseas producers had demonstrated the difference buying fairtrade products can make.

"I can remember people who have come to tell us thank you for what you are doing because now my child can go to school, now my child can have some electricity, now I can invest in the future, and now I can fight climate change," he said.

Jennifer Strachan, president of the Overseas Aid and Development Commission, said supporting Fairtrade complemented the commission's work with vulnerable communities.

She said shoppers could make a difference simply by looking for the Fairtrade logo when buying everyday products.

"You're going to buy sugar anyway, you're going to buy tea anyway. All you need to do is look for that Fairtrade logo and know that you've had that impact," she said.

Mauger said the choice available had grown enormously over the past two decades, with more than 6,000 Fairtrade-marked products now available.

He said the aim for the future was to to "keep pushing it forward" and encourage as many people as possible to buy Fairtrade.

The group is hosting a photo exhibition, a schools' photo competition and public market stalls to mark the anniversary.

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