Cheers as town toasts official Fairtrade status
Carrick-on-Suir was officially accorded Fairtrade status, with local, national and international recognition, at a ceremony in the town last week.
It was most appropriate that the launch was held in the Carraig Hotel as, together with the local SuperValu store, the hotel was to the forefront in promoting Fairtrade in the town for a number of years.
Chairperson of the local committee, Pauline Fitzgerald, welcomed the representative attendance at Tuesday's launch and said that being a Fairtrade town was "a powerful way of saying that we in Carrick-on-Suir care about the lives of people in the Developing World".
She added: "When the public buy any of these products they are directly supporting the five million farmers, workers and their families in 54 countries that benefit from the Fairtrade premium."
Pauline encouraged customers to ask for products with the Fairtrade logo, all of which are featured in the window display at the local Sue Ryder shop in Main Street.
Mayor Sylvia Cooney Sheehan referred to the role of the Town Council, especially during former councillor David Shee's term as Mayor, in promoting the Fairtrade issue.
Melanie Dray, representing Fairtrade Mark Ireland, complimented the local committee and traced the progress of Fairtrade since it started in the Netherlands 20 years ago. She explained that it was all about getting a living wage for farmers in the underdeveloped world and said the number of products becoming available in Ireland was now growing rapidly, due mainly to consumer demand.
Josephat Sylvand from the Kagera Co-operative Union in Tanzania said he was delighted to be invited to Carrick-on-Suir and gave a brief history of the movement and how it progressed over the years.
He explained how Fairtrade benefits the producers of the products and helps in the education of farmers in Tanzania and the poor. Town Clerk Michael O'Brien said Carrick-on-Suir was co-operating with the other towns in South Tipperary about Fairtrade signage and this would help to reduce the cost.
Josephat Sylvand presented the formal Certificate of Fairtrade Status in recognition of Carrick- on-Suir having met the criteria to become a Fairtrade town. The Certificate states that Fairtrade Mark Ireland congratulates the Steering Group and the people of Carrick-on-Suir for their great achievement.
During the evening, Caroline O'Brien and her youth band entertained the appreciative audience. Chairperson Pauline concluded the evening's proceedings by thanking her fellow committee members, the Town Council, Bru na Cruinne, SuperValu and the Carraig Hotel. Following the formal event, Fairtrade tea, coffee, orange and a variety of snacks were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Among those present at the launch were past and present members of the Town Council, manager of SuperValu P.J. Guinan and Eoin Norris of the Carraig Hotel .
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Weather for Clonmel
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
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