WEST Lothian has taken a big step forward to becoming a prestigious Fairtrade Zone following the creation of a steering group.
A host of events were held in the county during Fairtrade Fortnight, and the council is now back
ing a group to reach the status.
Linlithgow, Livingston, Uphall and Whitburn are Fairtrade Towns, with Bathgate and Broxburn hoping also to achieve this status.
A number of local Fairtrade groups such as schools, churches and town groups will be invited to help establish the West Lothian Steering Group that will be led by council officers and councillors.
Buying Fairtrade products help farmers and workers in the developing world achieve better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade.
Sheana Roberts of the Linlithgow Fairtrade Partnership – one of the first in Scotland in 2004 – welcomed the council's commitment to the movement.
She said: "We have been working from the bottom up and are very happy that the council is going down this route. It can look at internal procurement which can make an enormous difference across the council and can introduce it in the likes of leisure centres.
"All the Fairtrade groups in West Lothian attended a debate in the Scottish Parliament recently and all the parties agreed on things, so it is gradually building up momentum.
"We feel like we are getting more support."
A number of local authorities have already achieved Fairtrade Zone status, and it is part of a long-term plan to make Scotland one of the world's first Fairtrade Nations.
Council Leader Peter Johnston said: "West Lothian Council is committed to supporting Fairtrade and the establishment of the four Fairtrade Towns, Linlithgow, Livingston, Uphall and Whitburn over the last eight years but there is still a lot of work that can be done.
"The steering group will help the council, and partners, make further progress to gain county-wide recognition.
"Organisations that pay sustainable prices through Fairtrade address the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest producers.
"It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
"For a number of years now the council has served Fairtrade tea and coffee in our restaurants and at meetings.
"However, the council will look at more opportunities to use other Fairtrade products through its procurement arrangements."
The groups from the Fairtrade Towns set up a stall in the Civic Centre as part of Fairtrade Fortnight, while other events included a fashion show at Bathgate Academy which featured the current Miss West Lothian, Domenique Whitelaw.
