Huw Merriman, MP for the Bexhill and Battle constituency, and supporter of the Bexhill’s Fairtrade group, has been elected as the Vice Chairman of the Fairtrade Group in Parliament which has been set up to champion the movement across the United Kingdom.
The MP has previously worked locally on issues for the Bexhill Fairtrade Town Group, chaired by Jack Doherty and has credited them for fuelling his interest in the cause.
Speaking after his election Huw said “I’ve always been impressed with the passion which Jack and the Bexhill Fairtrade Town Group bring to our meetings on this cause. They’ve pressed me to do more in Parliament so I decided I would pitch in and help as the new Vice Chairman.”
One of the MP’s first tasks will be to arrange a meeting with the Fairtrade movement and Ministers responsible for negotiating international trade agreements following the UK’s exit from the EU.
Huw said “Whilst much has been done to promote the brand, there is now an opportunity for our new international trade deals allow for more fair trade products to be opened up to our markets. As in every international trade deal, there may be terms which do not go down as well in the UK. Fair Trade promotion does go down well so I’m hoping the Government will see the benefit in further opening up the Fair Trade market.”
The MP also hopes to visit one of the Fairtrade projects in Africa over the summer to see first-hand the difference buying Fairtrade products can do for developing countries.
