I am encouraging shoppers across Birmingham to buy Fairtrade products during this Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from 22nd February to 7th March.

I have welcomed the government's plan to boost funding for the Fairtrade labelling system and urged shoppers in Birmingham to look for the Fairtrade Mark on food, gifts and other products in the shops.

Small changes in our shopping habits can make a big difference to the world's poorest people. By buying food, gifts and other products from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark and there are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers in developing countries. The government's latest investment will bring another 1 million producers into the scheme and enable 7 million more people in poor countries to benefit from a better deal offered by
Fairtrade.

One such company committed to Fairtrade is Cadbury who led the way by using ethically sourced cocoa in Dairy Milk bars, making it the first mass market chocolate in the world.

I am really pleased to hear that Kraft is committed to using Fairtrade cocoa and I think it's a promising sign that the company are keen to preserve the values of Cadbury.