Edrychwch ar y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

On Saturday 6th June at the Wales Fair Trade Forum conference in Newport, Wales was proclaimed the world's first fair trade nation. This remarkable achievement was announced by Wales' First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM who congratulated the forum and the many hundreds of local volunteers for their hard work in accomplishing this honour for Wales.

"This is a great honour for Wales and shows how a small country like ours can make a difference. The progress made in two years is a testament to the enthusiasm and passion of the people of Wales", he said.

The announcement came after two years of hard work by the Wales Fair Trade Forum, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and supported by many groups and individuals including Oxfam Cymru. To gain fair trade status the forum has had to increase the availability of fair trade products in towns, cities and counties across Wales, and encourage schools, businesses and other organisations to switch to fair trade.

Jane Davidson AM, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, who is responsible for fair trade at the Assembly Government, told the summit: "I am delighted and proud that Wales can now call itself a fair trade nation - which marks a significant increase in the availability and adoption of fair trade within organisations, communities and businesses across Wales."

"Wales is showing how a small country can take steps to bring about a big change - and in the case of fair trade making a huge impact on the lives of third world producers and their families."

Duncan Rees, Chair of the Wales Fair Trade Forum, said: "thanks to the help of over a thousand volunteers the progress in just two years has been extraordinary! Today in Wales there are 58 Fairtrade town groups, Fairtrade groups in all 22 welsh counties, and in less than a year 380 schools have committed to learning about Fairtrade and using Fairtrade products. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the people of Wales."

"This has been a truly humbling experience and is all about making a real difference to the lives of some of the world's poorest people. The more countries that take up the fair trade nation challenge, the more people will be able to trade their way out of poverty."

This is only the first phase of the campaign. In order to maintain and improve Wales' position as a fair trade nation - the awareness and consumption of fair trade by the people, organisations and businesses of Wales must continue to grow. Oxfam Cymru will be supporting the campaign to make sure it happens.