"FairTrade brand should include British farmers" - Farron

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming called today for the 'FairTrade' brand to be extended to include getting a fairer deal for British farmers during a Westminster Hall debate on the dairy farming industry. At present dairy farmers receive only a very small amount of money for a litre of milk while supermarkets' and processors' profits soar to unprecedented heights.

Recent figures released by Sainsbury's revealed that profits for the last financial year were up almost 50% to £380 million while the dairy industry continues to struggle.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Farron said:

"I have written to the FairTrade Foundation to enquire as to the possibility of extending the brand to British farmers, and I thought today would be an ideal opportunity to bring it up in parliament.

"Shoppers go down one supermarket aisle picking up FairTrade tea and coffee, giving themselves a warm ethical glow, and turn down the next aisle and pick up a pint of milk obtained from a British farmer ruthlessly exploited by supermarkets and processors. I want to see British farmers given a fair deal once and for all."