Fairtrade Coffee

EDM number 655 in 2004-05, proposed by Mark Lazarowicz on 03/02/2005.

That this House notes media coverage suggesting that major coffee roasting companies are planning to enter the ethical coffee market; acknowledges the concern expressed by the Fairtrade Foundation and UK development non-governmental organisations such as Oxfam that a proliferation of ethical labelling or individual company claims in relation to coffee products could result in consumer confusion; further acknowledges that sales of Fairtrade certified coffee grew by 49 per cent. last year, and that the FAIRTRADE Mark is now recognised by two in five of the UK population; congratulates all those honourable Members representing constituencies in around 300 towns and cities across the UK who have now established formal campaigns to increase public awareness of Fairtrade, and to increase demand, availability and sales of products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark; reaffirms the commitment of the House of Commons to serving Fairtrade certified coffee, tea and other products; congratulates Marks and Spencer Cafe Revive and AMT Coffee who have recently switched to 100 per cent. Fairtrade certified coffee in response to consumer demand; believes that the major coffee roasters could make a significant contribution to increasing the overall Fairtrade market for smallholder coffee producers in developing countries; and urges them to commit to independent Fairtrade standards and certification in considering the future launch of coffee products in the UK market.

This motion has been signed by a total of 91 MPs.