Guernsey retains its Fairtrade status

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Guernsey has retained its Fairtrade status for an eighth consecutive year.

Guernsey was first awarded Fairtrade status in March 2006; it means the island is committed to supporting Fairtrade and using products with the Fairtrade mark.

A plaque confirming the renewal will be unveiled at a ceremony on Tuesday 4 March in the Guernsey Information Centre by the visiting Communities Campaigns manager from the Fairtrade Foundation, Adam Gardner. Local Patron of Fairtrade Guernsey, Sir de Vic Carey, will be there along with Culture and Leisure Minister, Deputy Mike O’Hara.

Deputy O’Hara is pleased that Fairtrade Guernsey has once again retained its status. He said the positioning of the plaque at the Guernsey Information Centre was good for the island.

‘We’re delighted that we can display the plaque at one of our sites for not only locals, but visitors to see. This is a great achievement which recognises Guernsey’s commitment to playing its part in the pursuit of the equal treatment of workers all from over the world,’ said Deputy O’Hara.

Mr. Gardner, whose visit to the island falls during Fairtrade Fortnight, said Guernsey should be proud of the commitment it has made.

The number of imaginative initiatives organised locally impressed him greatly.

‘We particularly loved the idea of the t-shirt competition and teddy bears’ Fairtrade picnic – both great ways to get children involved and excited about Fairtrade,’ he said.

‘It is brilliant, too, to read about your success with hotels and restaurants, and to see that demand has grown as products have become available at wholesale level.

‘Congratulations on continuing to press the States of Guernsey and finally achieving affirmation of their support for Fairtrade.’

Fairtrade Fortnight kicked off on Sunday 23 February with a five-a-side football tournament at Beau Sejour with some players dressed in banana suits.

A number of events have been organised locally, including a quiz, a bus displaying Fairtrade products and a competition for schoolchildren to design their own Fairtrade postcard.

The competition will be judged on Wednesday 5 March. Winning entries will then be put on display in the foyer at Beau Sejour. The overall winner will see their design commercially printed 2,000 times and the postcard used throughout the island.