Bromsgrove District Council has announced that its Fairtrade Town status will be coming to an end.
The town earned Fairtrade Foundation status a decade ago for supporting the availability of fairtrade products and making efforts to raise awareness and encourage others to make conscious consumer choices.
Fairtrade is one of the most recognised ethical labels in the world and the UK has over 200 Fairtrade Towns.
The news came to light at the last full council meeting of 2024 on December 4, when the town’s newest councillor, Lib Dem James Clarke asked if action will be taken to ensure Bromsgrove retains its status.
Coun Clarke said: “Fairtrade provides a range of benefits for both producers and consumers, offering a high ethical quality.
“Renewing our status will help ensure that Bromsgrove continues to offer high quality and ethical produce and goods.”
Council leader Coun Karen May confirmed it will not renew its status, but remains ‘committed to supporting where possible, the Fairtrade concept along with other consumer choices.’
The leader shared her pride at Bromsgrove’s long running fairtrade status which has seen a massive increase in adoption of the ethos of the scheme right across the region, in shops, eateries and throughout local events.
Coun May added: “I’m proud that fairtrade, ethical and organic products are common place in many of these eateries.
“Our commitment to becoming faitrade has paid dividends and provides residents and visitors with a conscious choice”.
“Although we haven’t renewed our status like some of our county counterparts, we continue to show our support for fairtrade products.”
Liberal Democrat councillors are now calling for Bromsgrove’s status to be renewed after more than a decade of being a Fairtrade Town.
Coun Sam Evans, of the Lib Dems, added: “Fairtrade Status helps to put Bromsgrove on the map, showing that we are standing up for farmers and workers.
“The Council should renew our status to send a message that we support our local farmers, fair prices and decent working conditions.”
