The FairTrade Foundation have renewed their FairTrade Community Status award for the area for another five years.
FairTrade works with farmers and workers to ensure they get a fair share the money generated by what they produce. This helps improve their living standards, invest in their communities and businesses, and protect our shared environment.
Highlights of recent work to raise of awareness and promote Fairtrade in West Lothian include: hosting the Scottish FairTrade Forum Campaigner Conference in Linlithgow in November 2022; a range of FairTrade events and stalls, such as the COP 26 event at West Lothian in November 2021 and Linlithgow FairTrade Partnership free coffee morning in conjunction with the Co-op; raising awareness of FairTrade Fortnight using the local press and social media; and being an active member of the member of Scottish FairTrade Forum.
Executive councillor for the environment and sustainability Tom Conn, who chairs the West Lothian Fairtrade Group, said: "I am delighted that West Lothian will continue to be a FairTrade Community.
"Thanks to all the volunteers and council staff who have worked to promote FairTrade in West Lothian, which was especially challenging during the pandemic.
"We will continue to raise awareness and promote Fairtrade where we can, as well as supporting local residents, schools, businesses and organisations across West Lothian in each of the five Fairtrade Action Areas."
For more information, please Fairtrade. If you are interested in becoming involved in Fairtrade across West Lothian please email Fairtrade@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window).
A spokesperson for the FairTrade Foundation said: "We are extremely thankful to all campaigners and local organisers that contribute towards the FairTrade Communities' scheme.
"Every action taken on a local level adds to raising awareness of the issues of unfair trade and furthers the progress of workers' rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for farmers and workers globally."
