Birmingham becomes the United Kingdom's largest Fairtrade City

11.13.44am GMT Mon 28th Nov 2005

Birmingham will today officially become the largest Fairtrade City in the United Kingdom. The award will be presented to the Deputy Lord Mayor and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Tilsley, by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Councillor Paul Tilsley said, "This is wonderful news for the city. The Council has worked closely with Fairtrade Action Birmingham for many years towards this aim. Many businesses in the city now offer Fairtrade products and the trend is continuing".

As part of it's Fairtrade achievement's Birmingham has:

• Birmingham City Council has passed a Fairtrade resolution and actively supports Fairtrade.

• More than 150 shops, cafés and restaurants in the city offer a Fairtrade option

• More than 50 schools, businesses, faith communities and organisations serve Fairtrade products

• Fairtrade is promoted across the city during Fairtrade Fortnight in March each year, and also at other times. Fairtrade pays farmers a guaranteed price for their produce. Their contracts allow the producers to have long term planning and sustainable production practices.

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Find out more about Birmingham being a Fairtrade City.