Leaders’ call to firm up fair trade

from the Daily Post

TWO church leaders in Wales issued a call for fairer global trade in their Easter messages.

The Rev John Owen, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, and the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Rev John Davies, both question the existence of “free” trade between the countries of the world.

Mr Owen said: “A trading system is not ‘free’ if it prevents the poor from selling their goods at a reasonable price.

“The opponents of fair trade are wrong to claim that nothing should be done to help poor farmers abroad.”

Mr Owen’s message comes shortly after FairTrade Fortnight, during which the campaign to tackle poverty and injustice in the developing world was criticised by the Adam Smith Institute, a right-wing think tank.

Rt Rev John Davies said fair trade gives new life to poor communities.

He said: “Fair trade has recently come in for some criticism by the Adam Smith Institute and this has led some to question its value.