Bridget Phillipson, MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, has met with international sugar growers in Parliament to hear about the importance of Fairtrade for farmers and their communities in developing countries.

Bridget met with sugar cane farmers Allan Saidi from Malawi and Alexia Ludford from Jamaica during Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 (23 February -; 8 March), a national campaign that highlights the work of people who grow some of the British public’s favourite everyday commodities and the difference that Fairtrade makes to their lives.

More than 1.5 million farmers and workers in 74 developing countries benefit from Fairtrade by earning a fair price and a Fairtrade Premium. Farmers can invest the Fairtrade Premium in their businesses and their communities in order, for example, to build maternity hospitals, provide access to clean water and enable children to go to school.

Fairtrade Fortnight is supported by shoppers, campaigners, towns and businesses across the UK.

Speaking after the event, Bridget Phillipson MP said:

“The FAIRTRADE Mark is the best known ethical label in the world but there’s still a long way to go to make all trade fair.

“Buying Fairtrade makes a big difference to sugar farmers like Allan and Alexia and other farmers and workers in developing countries.

“Fairtrade products can change lives and it is right that customers should have the choice to buy them in their local supermarkets.”