Northern Ireland raises funds for St Vincent Fairtrade Banana farmers

Several churches, schools and individuals from Ards and Lisburn Borough Councils in Northern Ireland have collectively raised £1000.00 (approximately EC$4,400.00) for St Vincent Fairtrade Banana Farmers.{{more}}

Dr Christopher Stange from the Consulate for St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in Northern Ireland and Chair of Fairtrade Belfast was contacted regarding fundraising events by different Fairtrade supporters, following presentations delivered on Caribbean Fairtrade bananas and Fairtrade accreditation.

Special mention is made of the largest contributors: Granshaw Presbyterian Church, Carr Primary School P2/3 Class, Alison Gibson, Jean McNally and Irene Kirk.

Commenting on the funds raised, Dr Christopher Stange said: “Our Fairtrade banana farmers in St Vincent have had several setbacks, with Hurricane Tomas destroying the banana industry, followed by Moko Disease and Black Sigatoka. On behalf of the SVG government and Fairtrade banana farmers, we are delighted by these local efforts to assist internationally. There is great support in Northern Ireland for ethically produced commodities and we look forward to strengthening these relationships across Northern Ireland for the benefit of developing world producers.”

With “Operation Cutback” to clear the banana fields, Fairtrade farmers are beginning to re-plant in St Vincent, so the proposal is to have this fund dedicated to inputs such as fertilizer, to be officially distributed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture in St Vincent and the Grenadines.