Weigh in for Trade Justice on Snowdon summit

"Greetings to all trade justice campaigners from the highest scales in England and Wales!"

Members of the Methodist People of King's Lynn in Norfolk held up a banner bearing a pair of scales, the symbol of trade justice, at the 3560 foot summit of Mount Snowdon to coincide with Saturday's finale to Scale Up for Trade Justice. The banner will be the highest scales to be raised across the UK.

Methodist minister the Reverend Mike Bossingham, who is with the group, said: "I am delighted that the young people have got involved in this project for fair trade and are extremely vocal on the matter," he said. "They have already challenged the adults in the church about their attitudes towards fairly traded products. It is good to see young people involved in campaigns for justice. We must make trade work for the poor, which means that international trade rules need to be weighed to benefit poor people and the planet."

The MP for West Norfolk, Henry Bellingham MP, signed the banner. Mr. Bellingham met the young people at his surgery on Friday 20th June along with other campaigners and listened carefully to the arguments made by them. He promised them that he would be at the debate in the House and Commons that took place later that week. They were particularly keen to stress to him that "Fair Trade" is not the same as "Free Trade" and that the poorer countries of the world did need some protection from some of the trading practices of the West. Mr. Bellingham wished the young people good luck for their expedition.

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