Vincy leads Northern Ireland to become Fairtrade nation

Northern Ireland has become a Fairtrade devolved region (nation), after fulfilling the main targets of having all its five cities and six of its 11 councils attaining Fairtrade status to include their respective towns.

The main beneficiaries of the Fairtrade system are the Caribbean, Central America, African and Pacific countries.

This has been led voluntarily by Vincentian Dr Christopher Stange, Hon Consul for St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to Northern Ireland & Secretariat of the All Party Group (APG) on Fairtrade to allow better market access, Fairtrade certification, purchase or procurement of Fairtrade certified products from farmers in the developing world and to tackle the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The remaining councils are currently working towards the Fairtrade standard.

Central government, higher education institutions, schools, places of worship, businesses and workplaces have also played a vital role in the initiative, many having attained or are working towards Fairtrade accreditation.

To celebrate this accolade of achievement, the official declaration and launch of the report was made in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, sponsored by Steven Agnew MLA, “chairperson on behalf of the APG on Fairtrade.  

Steven Agnew MLA, chair of the APG on Fairtrade said: “I am delighted that Northern Ireland has attained the status of Fairtrade region.  This has come as a result of the hard work and efforts of the local Fairtrade campaign, championed by Dr Christopher Stange.  This achievement is notable in that came about without the support of the Executive Office, as was the case with other devolved regions.  Fairtrade status will bring about better outcomes for producers in developing countries, as well as the people of Northern Ireland as consumers.”

Peter Gaynor, executive director Fairtrade Ireland, said: “We have seen local authorities, Fairtrade Towns groups and the All Party Group on Fairtrade do a huge amount in recent years in Northern Ireland to promote Fairtrade. It is a real achievement from all of this work that they are now becoming a Fairtrade devolved region – and of course Christopher Stange himself deserves a very big thank you for all his work personally. Fairtrade began with the dedicated work of small groups of people and this is a great example of these groups coming together to achieve something bigger together. “

18 Northern Ireland towns and one island have achieved Fairtrade status with the remaining 17 currently working toward with active groups.

Two-thirds of Northern Ireland higher education institutions have achieved or are working towards the Fairtrade standard.