While Obama is on a state visit to the UK, Traidcraft is doing all it can to raise awareness of the damaging effects of U.S. cotton subsidies for millions of farmers in developing countries around the world.
Dishing out billions of dollars every year to a handful of U.S. farms lowers the price of cotton on the world market – and means that farmers in Africa cannot get a fair price for their crop.
At a protest today, Traidcraft sent a message loud and clear that it’s time to put an end to this damaging policy now.
Campaigners prompted a stand-in Obama into action with a giant cotton bud, after which he agreed that cutting illegal and unfair cotton subsidies was the right thing to do.
A letter was then handed into William Hague’s office to explain the campaign and draw attention to the hundreds of messages that have already been sent by Traidcraft supporters.
Traidcraft has also published a joint letter from our Chief Executive, Paul Chandler, and the President of the African Cotton Producers, Moussa Sabaly, in the Financial Times today.
With other high-profile activities planned over the next few days, we will be keeping up the pressure on President Obama to put an end to illegal and unfair cotton subsidies - and we need your help!
Please send a message today to urge William Hague to call on Obama to nip cotton subsidies in the bud!
