Updated Which areas are Fairtrade Now? and Areas working towards Fairtrade Status lists.
(13 Nov 2005)

The Isle of Wight Fairtrade Forum holds its' Launch Event. Read the Launch Event Report. See the Launch Event Pictures. (29 Oct 2005)

Isle of Wight Mosque Supports Island Fairtrade Forum.
I am writing as a representative of the Isle of Wight Mosque in Newport. Firstly, we would like to congratulate you for your efforts in helping to make the Island achieve Fairtrade status. We offer our full support and backing to this project. Secondly, we would like to thank you for your invitation to the Official Presentation on the 28th October. As I am sure you are aware we are in the month of Ramadhan at the moment and, as such, all of us are extremely busy with fasting and night prayers etc. Therefore, we regret that a representative from our Mosque will not be able to attend the presentation ceremony. I hope you will accept our apologies and that this does not inconvenience you too much. Once again I would like to reiterate our endorsement and hope that the profile of Fairtrade will increase and many other places gain Fairtrade status. Yours Faithfully Afraz Jaffri. Isle of Wight Mosque Representative.
(27 Oct 2005)
 

Nestlé is today launching NESCAFE Partners’ Blend, a new coffee carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark, the independent consumer label operated by the Fairtrade Foundation.  (27 Oct 205)

FAIRTRADE MARK is top of its class in Superbrands Awards (27 Oct 2005)

ISLE OF WIGHT FAIRTRADE FORUM MEETS REQUIREMENTS FOR
FAIRTRADE ISLAND STATUS

The IW Fairtrade Forum is pleased to announce that it has been confirmed that the requirements have been meet for a Fairtrade Island. The official presentation of the certificate will be held on the 28th October at the Isle of Wight College. Due to safety requirements the attendance to the presentation is strictly be invitation only. The Forum is thankful for support from the Isle of Wight College, The Isle of Wight Council, UNISON and Connexions. There is an on going requirement for the numbers of suppliers, retailers etc using Fairtrade products which will need to be audited each year to maintain the certification, therefore the work continues! Thank you to all that have supported the Forum so far and we look forward to continuing the growth, availability and usage of Fairtrade products on the Island.
(3 Oct 2005)

RUMOURS REGARDING MULTINATIONAL FAIRTRADE PRODUCTS

A response to article in The Guardian, 21 September 2005 by The Fairtrade Foundation

The Fairtrade Foundation cannot comment on speculation about the possible future activities of any individual company.

As the UK’s independent certification body for international Fairtrade standards, our system is open to any company wishing to develop a product certified with the FAIRTRADE Mark. However, all companies who wish to enter the Fairtrade market must be able to demonstrate a transparent supply chain linked to certified Fairtrade producer organisations. All trading partners must be registered to comply with internationally agreed Fairtrade trading standards, including minimum prices, payment of social premiums, and regular trade auditing. Companies must be committed to growing the overall market for Fairtrade, so extending the benefits to more disadvantaged producers and workers around the world.

Our vision for Fairtrade includes extending the benefits to as many disadvantaged producers in developing countries as possible. We would regard any approach by a major company wishing to enter this market as sign of success for all the dedicated shoppers, campaigners and companies who have worked hard to blaze the trail for Fairtrade over the past 11 years.

The Fairtrade Foundation, Room 204, 16 Baldwin’s Gardens, London, EC1N 7RJ
(3 Oct 2005)
 

Fairtrade Competition PrintIT! is a major industry backed initiative to encourage young people to embark on careers in the UK printing industry. Joining forces with the Fairtrade Foundation, PrintIT! Is running a competition aimed at secondary schools and Year 10 students studying GCSE Graphic Products to devise a print-based campaign to promote Fairtrade fruit. Prizes of digital printing, IT equipment and other print related prizes worth over £100,000 will be awarded to schools and students. For more information visit www.printit.org.uk or telephone 07904 456765 (3 Oct 2005)
 

FAIRTRADE Fortnight 2005 was crowned with the announcement that Fairtrade sales in 2004 topped £140m, a 51% rise on 2003. More than 850 retail and catering products now carry the FAIRTRADE Mark – up from around 150 in 2003. An estimated 7,500 events took place around the UK during the Fortnight, ranging from parades, concerts and debates to tea dances, fiestas and family days out. (3 Oct 2005)

Isle of Wight Food Festival. The first of October saw the Isle of Wight Fairtrade Forum at the Isle of Wight Food Festival. on the Quay, Newport Harbour. We had an interesting day sharing with local food producers and tourists, Local people braved the varied weather. We made new contacts, found some more Fairtrade product users for our web site and gave out lots of information to very interested enquirers. See the photographs from the Food Festival.
(3 Oct 2005)

Sandown Town Council, has passed a motion to support the Island Campaign to promote and encourage the use of Fairtrade products. (28 Sept 2005)
 

Calbourne Parish Council supports Fairtrade. It was agreed by Calbourne Parish Council that it fully supports the Island campaign and will promote and encourage the use of these products in meetings and areas of responsibility. (16 Sept 2005)

Fairtrade Campaign gathers more friends, as the Ventnor Town Council back the IW Fairtrade Forum's Campaign. Read the IW County Press Article. (26 Aug 2005)

IW County Show & IW Garlic Festival Report: The Isle of Wight Fairtrade Forum wish to express their gratitude to the Island Council for allowing us to be included in their marquee at the IOW County Show and the Garlic Festival.

The County Show allowed us to make many new Island Contacts and tell people of our campaign. With the added bonus was a good response to our request to people to tell us Fairtrade products are being used across the Island. This raised our community interest list to over 45. Four members of the steering group attended the show. County Show Photos

The Garlic Show tested all we had learnt at the County Show as there were many more visitors, due to the better weather. With the heavier commitment we had to call in another team member, but we had great fun reaching out to caterers and stall holders on site as well as the hundreds of visitors to out stand. Garlic Festival Photos

These opportunity has raised the profile of Fairtrade on the Isle of Wight and gave a huge encouragement to steering group members. (24 Aug 2005)

Rallying to support fairer world trade. The Isle of Wight Fairtrade Forum makes a formal application fro Fairtrade Island Status, read the IW County Press Article. (12 Aug 2005)

Ventnor Council have passed a motion to support the IW Fairtrade Forum. (12 Aug 2005)

Would you believe it! Based on new information Directories of who is 'Fairtrading' on the Isle of Wight updated, it has only been 2 days since the last update!!. List of places working towards Fairtrade Status and areas which have Fairtrade Status updated. (10 Aug 2005)

Mailing List added to IWFF website to allow users to be informed of updates and events etc. (9 Aug 2005)

The IWFF's Island Campaign Progress updated listing the acitivies that have been undertaken over the last few months, the current status of achievements and numbers of outlets etc providing Fairtrade Proucts. (8 Aug 2005)

The information about the IWFF's Campaign updated. (8 Aug 2005)

IWFF Website moves web hosts allowing new features to be added in the future, please check your favourites and webmaster email address. (8 Aug 2005)

IWFF to attend the IW Garlic Festival 20 & 21 Aug 2005. (4 Aug 2005)

Application for Fairtrade Status applied for. (4 Aug 2005)

IWFF attended the IW County Show. (24 Aug 2005)

Freshwater Parish Council passed a motion  to support the Fairtrade County campaign and to use Fairtrade products in meeting, and encourage the use of Fairtrade marked products in the community. (19 July 2005)

Isle of Wight Council pass motion to support the Isle of Wight Fairtrade Status IW County Press article (10 July 2005)

Marks & Spencer extends Fairtrade offer (5 July 2005)

Three more outlets added to the list of Cafe / Restaurants IW College Refectory, St Mildred's Church Centre and The Old Dairy Tea Room at IW Lavender. (15 June 2005)

M & S Coffee Shop, Needles Battery and Bembridge Bakery are now supplying two or more Fairtrade Products. Only four more Cafe / Restaurants catering outlets required for Fairtrade County Status. (5 June 2005)

Brading has joined the ranks of Town and Parish Councils who are officially supporting the Fairtrade County campaign. (11 May 2005)

Shanklin Town council have passed a motion in support of IW Fairtrade Campaign.
(21 Apr 2005)

Gurnard Parish Council has resolved to support the aims of the IW Fairtrade Forum, and has also resolved to use and promote the use of fairly-traded goods as and when it can. Clerk to Gurnard Parish Council. (15 Apr 2005)

In response to letters to all the Island Parish and Town Councils we have today received news from Wroxall PC and Nettlestone & Seaview they have passed motions in support of the Fairtrade Campaign and will encourage their Parishes to use these products.
(26 Mar 2005)

Parliamentary Early Day Motions referring to Fairtrade.
(11 Mar 2005)

Island MP Andrew Turner supports IW Fairtrade County Press article.
(11 Mar 2005)

'FAIRTRADE TOWNS’ MOVEMENT HITS 100, Fairtrade Foundation Press Release.
(10 Mar 2005)

Fair Trading Success report of the recent Open Forum from the Isle of Wight County Press.

Open Forum meeting at the Riverside Centre Newport attracted approximately 40 people. Chris Murphy opened the evening and welcomed everybody outline the background and current status of the campaign. The guest speaker Christine McMillan Co-ordinator of the Portsmouth Fairtrade Forum outlined the issues involved in obtain a Fairtrade Area status and gave some background on 'how they' did it. The was a question and answer session which revealed more people/organisation using Fairtrade products. Jim Curtis organiser outlined how individuals could get involved. (13 Feb 2005)

Isle of Wight Fairtrade Forum invites the public to its first Open Meeting. IW County Press (11th Feb 2005)

The Beacon a free magazine on the Island publishes articles outlining the Fairtrade Forum's campaign in a number of its areas. Thank you to the Beacon (Feb 2005)

The Isle of Wight County Press publishes article announcing 30 retail outlet and Forum meeting in February 2005. (21 Jan 2005)

The Isle of Wight County Press published article to bring awareness to IW Fairtrade Forum and existence of the website. The paper also carries a letter bring peoples attention to the need for Fairtrade. (7 Jan 2005)

The target for shops has been achieved to qualify for Fairtrade Status, the goals for other establishments and involvement of the Council still remain. (6 Jan 2005)

Solent TV's website carries article to bring awareness to the possibility of Fairtrade products as Christmas presents. (22 Dec 2004)

The latest issue of the Big T - The Island's Quarterly Fair-Trade Newsletter added to the site.
(16 Dec 2004)

WTO: Hands off our food," says Friends of the Earth (25 May 2004)
» Read more - external link

ActionAid: 'Don't sell out poor' trade alert (14 May 2004)
» Read more - external link

Doha round negotiations cannot progress via exclusive, by-invitation-only trade meetings
» Read more - external link

Oxfam reveal how British companies are making millions from a skewed sugar regime that hurts poor countries (14 April 2004)
» Read more - external link

MPs debate trade justice in House of Commons (9 March 2004)
» Read more - external link

EU plans for WTO expansion dealt fatal blow (19 February 2004)
» Read more - external link

Unethical businesses escape regulation as government kills bill (30 January 2004) 
» Read more - external link

CAFOD trade justice report: dire working conditions in computer production (26 January 2004)
» Read more - external link

World Social Forum says 'yes' to trade justice (26 January 2004)
» Read more - external link

Fairtrade Foundation Charity of The Year

Glastonbury goes Fairtrade

Mori Poll Results

More Fairtrade Cities

The cost of 'Your' Cuppa

Sales now over £10 million

Top Humanitarian Award for FLO

Out of Home Production