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FUW Anglesey County Chairman Tegwyn Jones, FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi V Williams, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Senior Policy Officer Hazel Wright, Hub Cymru Africa representative Bran Devey and Lis Perkins of Fair Trade Wales[/caption]
A Fair Trade Big Breakfast has been organised by the Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales in support of the National Fair Trade campaign “Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers!”. The breakfast was held on Wednesday, March 9 at Cartio Môn Karting, Bodedern and was attended by over 50 farmers and raised £600 for the British Heart Foundation Cymru.
Joining the breakfast were representatives of Fair Trade Wales, FUW President Glyn Roberts who talked about fair prices for Welsh Farmers and FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright provided an update on climate change and how it has affected Welsh farming.
In 2008 Wales became the first ever “Fair Trade Nation” and the FUW announced its support for Fair Trade at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in December that year.Since then the FUW has been working closely with Fair Trade Wales to highlight the need for farmers all over the world to get paid a fair price so that food security can be achieved across the globe.
FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “While our produce and farming methods are on the one hand extremely different, there are many similarities between our major issues of concern.
“Despite our differences, the principle that a farmer should receive a fair price for his produce transcends international boundaries, and is one that we should all support, whether as individuals or as organisations – and this principle should also extend to procurement by public bodies.”
Brân Devey of Hub Cymru Africa who attended the event on behalf of Fair Trade Wales said: “It was great to see the support for Fairtrade by the farmers at the breakfast during Fairtrade fortnight.
“By choosing both locally sourced and Fairtrade products you are able to support food producers locally and internationally.
“Fair trade doesn’t just mean a better price for us as farmers, choosing fair trade means choosing a better environment, sustainable growth, education and much more.”
The FUW believes Welsh farmers who want a fair price for their lambs in the market should also want a fair price for coffee farmers in other countries.
FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi V Williams, who organised the Fair Trade Big Breakfast, said: “I would like to thank all our members, staff and guests who supported the event. It demonstrates the Union backing of this worthwhile national campaign on a local level and highlighted the issues facing the industry and the importance that farmers are paid a fair price for their produce.
“I must also of course thank all those attended for helping to raise such a great amount of money for BHF Cymru.”