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WINCHESTER celebrated its new-found status as a Fairtrade City last night (May 8) with a special launch ceremony.

The Fairtrade mark is an independent consumer label, which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.

For a product to display the Fairtrade mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards, set by international certification body, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).

The Fairtrade Foundation, a UK independent body, is responsible for licensing the Fairtrade mark to products in the UK and also decides which cities can get Fairtrade status.

In March, it decided that Winchester filled the criteria and named it the fourth Fairtrade City in Hampshire.

The Fairtrade Foundation presented certificates to University of Winchester Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joy Carter, and the Mayor of Winchester at the Fairtrade-themed celebration, which featured music from the University's gospel choir. The University has also been given Fairtrade status.

Chairman of Winchester City Fairtrade Network, Robert Hutchison, said: "It was a fantastic evening. I think it was a very good occasion because it was a celebration of getting the status and it was also very good for bringing both the City Council and the University together in achieving one common purpose.

"It's a good mark and I think we've got to blow the trumpet on fair trade even more than we have been now. It needs to play a more central role in people's lives and there's still a lot of work to do."

Leader of Winchester City Council, Cllr George Beckett, said: "Obtaining Fairtrade status is excellent news for the city and my congratulations go to all those in the Fairtrade Network who have worked so hard to achieve it. The City Council has backed the scheme ever since we became a Fairtrade organisation in 2004 and we look forward to continuing our support for the group."

Prof Carter said: "We're delighted to be deemed a Fairtrade University. It sends a clear signal that the University is committed to sustainable development and strongly believes that first world countries cannot live at the expense of the poorer nations."

5:23pm Friday 9th May 2008

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