Fairtrade

South Lanarkshire is a FairTrade zone

When you buy a product with the Fairtrade logo it means that the following principles are respected:

• producers are paid fair prices as well as a premium to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions
• commercial relationships are transparent
• producers have good working conditions
• production involves no child labour, no forced labour and no discrimination including gender equity
• the environment is conserved and preserved

The Fairtrade Foundation has developed a scheme of Fairtrade Zones. Communities (town, city, zone or any other geographical areas) can apply to achieve Fairtrade status - Scotland is a Fairtrade nation. The status shows the communities’ commitment in supporting Fairtrade principles and using licensed products with the Fairtrade Mark. There are more than 600 communities across the UK that have achieved Fairtrade status.

In February 2020, South Lanarkshire renewed its Fairtrade Zone status.

To do this, five goals were achieved:

• a resolution stating that the council supports Fairtrade was passed (Committee report on 22 January 2019)
• a list of Fairtrade products available in the area’s retail outlets and served in local catering was provided. It is estimated that 61 retailers and 39 catering outlets support Fairtrade across 22 towns and places in South Lanarkshire
• a list of work places and community organisations supporting Fairtrade was compiled. At least 35 faith and community organisations support Fairtrade and 47 schools are registered with the Fairtrade Foundation
• a steering group with representatives from Fairtrade towns has been established and meets twice a year
• list of media coverage during the last 18 months was built with support from the steering group was built

At the moment, there are four Fairtrade towns in South Lanarkshire:

• Hamilton
• Biggar
• East Kilbride
• Strathaven

Support to Fairtrade is included in the Good Food Strategy.

Everyone is welcome to be a part of the South Lanarkshire Fairtrade Steering group to help advance fair trade in South Lanarkshire or to join local Fairtrade towns group.