Support World Fairtrade Day

The event aims to celebrate ‘Fairtrade People’ - the producers and consumers who are committed to the cause.

Ms Swinson has been a long standing supporter of Fairtrade initiatives, backing the move for Lenzie to become a Fairtrade town last year and expressing her pride at the awards given to tireless local campaigners Tracy Mitchell and Balmore Coach House’s John Riches at Scotland’s first ever Fair Trade Awards in September 2013.

The MP said: “East Dunbartonshire has an excellent record of supporting the Fairtrade movement. Lenzie has recently achieved its great feat and for many years local schools, nurseries and groups have all had Fairtrade status.

“Across East Dunbartonshire Fairtrade activity is strong. A Bearsden and Milngavie Fairtrade group was launched last year with the aim of gaining the towns Fairtrade status. Other notable examples include the Balmore Coach House which prides itself on its range of Fairtrade products and Baljaffray Parish Church in Bearsden which runs several Fairtrade stalls throughout the year.

“Twenty years on from the first Fairtrade product in the UK, the brand is now globally recognised and well supported by local shoppers. I encourage people to purchase Fairtrade products from a local store on May 10 – and throughout the year.

“The Fairtrade movement has had a hugely positive effect on many of the poorest communities in the world. Trade has the power to lift people out of poverty and offer them a fair deal for their work”.