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The LNFWI Federation Secretary writes to WI secretaries to advise that the NFWI and Traidcraft have launched a "Make Tea Fair" campaign, which targets the five largest tea companies and asks that they become Fairtrade companies.

WI members are being urged to sign campaign postcards asking that Fairtrade tea is used and to send the cards to their preferred tea company,

LNFWI is concerned that this campaign will alienate the tea company with which it has enjoyed a close bond over the last 20 years. The Secretary writes that the company does not use Fairtrade tea but it does support the Rainforest Alliance and has planted over 3 million trees and supported communities in India, Ethiopa, Guatemala and Indonesia. In Rwanda it has match funded the Government Department of International Development's grant to improve tea quality and living standards for over 10,000 growers.

She asks that members think carefully before they sign the Traidcraft postcards, as Fairtrade is not the only form of fair trade.

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Issued: 19.11.09