Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2025
Scotland’s status as a fair trade nation reflects a commitment to social justice, sustainability and global solidarity. It is a powerful statement of our shared values that demonstrates leadership and promotes ethical trade and equality at a time when inequality too often runs through our global supply chains.
As the convener of the Parliament’s cross-party group on fair trade and the chairperson of Dumfries and Galloway regional fair trade steering group, I see every day the difference that is made by the fair trade principle that producers and workers should receive fair payment, good working conditions and opportunities for economic empowerment. I recognise that it is the work of local groups and campaigners, businesses, faith groups, councils and, ultimately, the producers themselves that makes the fair trade principle a reality.
I am delighted to welcome some of those grass-roots campaigners, who join us in the gallery and online for the debate. Like many colleagues, I regularly get to meet inspiring fair trade campaigners at events across my region. In the past few weeks alone, I have spoken at Dumfries fair trade group’s public meeting on the future of fair trade and eaten way too many cakes at the Kirkcudbright fair trade group’s big brew and at the fair trade village big brew in Dunscore—a village that probably organises more fair trade events per head of population than anywhere else in the world.
Whenever I head to such events, my kids always shout, “Don’t forget the Fairtrade chocolate,” and my wife usually adds, “And the Fairtrade wine.” Let us hope that she does not find that there is now Fairtrade gold, too. That recognition, warmth and support for fair trade has been generated by the work of our fair trade communities.
Therefore, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer, shop, organisation, school and faith group that plays a role in delivering trade justice for vulnerable farmers and workers in the global south. Their efforts, along with ours in the Parliament, are supported by the fantastic work of Scottish Fair Trade, which was previously under the leadership of Martin Rhodes and is now led by Louise Davies, alongside her small but exceptional team of Catherine, Sissa and Kiera. They are backed by their board, which is under the chairmanship of Charles, Liz and Rachel.
The Scottish Fair Trade Forum’s work led to the step change in fair trade activity in Scotland that resulted in fair trade nation status being secured more than a decade ago. We celebrate the fact that that has been renewed this year, at a time when the fair trade principles of fair prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers have never been more important.
Fair trade challenges the injustices of conventional trade and is at the heart of the fight against climate change. The Fairtrade premium, which ensures that producers in the global south are paid fairly, is a lifeline for communities, as it allows them to invest in sustainable farming and to afford medicine, education, food and good housing.