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20 May 2006

ACTION HIGHLIGHTS FAIRTRADE ISSUES 

In a position paper released earlier this year the Vatican pointed out that Justice requires that rich countries reconsider the subsidies they offer their own farmers and the barriers that they place on the import of agricultural products from poor countries.

The needs of poor people living in rural areas in the developing world were highlighted in the paper. By helping them, the Vatican said, the world would improve food security, promote environmentally sound farming methods and make real strides toward alleviating poverty since three-quarters of the world's poor live in rural areas.

Members of the Justice Action Group recently staffed an information booth at Highpoint shopping centre in Melbourne’s western suburbs in order to promote awareness of free trade products, especially tea and coffee, which are now available in supermarkets.

The action organized by Oxfam is part of a wider campaign to change the rules governing world trade so that trade can be a part of the solution to global poverty rather than one of its causes.

Free trade products carry a distinctive label. 'Scarborough Fair' coffee (available at Coles, BiLo and Safeway) and tea (available at Coles and BiLo supermarkets only) is one readily available such product that is aimed at the mass market.

By purchasing free trade products consumers can help ensure growers in developing countries receive a fair return for their labour and therefore enables them to better support their families.

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