Traidcraft helps bring work of Fairtrade producer to the president's attention

Following the introduction of Chino to Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, by Traidcraft's Chief Executive Paul Chandler, the Minister was so impressed with Chino's work in Fairtrade that he subsequently wrote to the office of the Chilean President requesting a meeting on Chino's behalf.

"Traidcraft is pleased to have played a small part in helping one of our long-standing Fairtrade producers get his story heard at the highest government levels in his home country of Chile and here in the UK," said Paul Chandler.

During the imminent state visit, Chino will be sharing his story of how Fairtrade sales of Apicoop's honey to Traidcraft and the wider UK market are benefitting small, disadvantaged producers.

Chino Henriquez said, "Traidcraft's ability to get the attention of key government officials is impressive. I'm grateful to them and to Stephen Timms for helping me get the opportunity to tell the story of Apicoop's 600 small-scale beekeepers and encourage further support for Fairtrade in influential political circles."

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Notes to editors:

• The President of the Republic of Chile is Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet.

• Traidcraft, based in the Team Valley, Gateshead, is the UK's leading fair trade organisation, fighting poverty through trade since 1979.

• Traidcraft has been buying Fairtrade honey from Apicoop, the beekeeping co-operative in Chile, for more than 15 years.

• Apicoop's Fairtrade honey is used in Traidcraft’s popular Geobars and is for sale at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk or on 0845 330 8900.

• Apicoop sells honey for its 120 members in the eastern region of Valdivia, and for about 500 other beekeepers elsewhere in the country.

• Beekeepers for Apicoop talk freely about the huge difference Fairtrade benefits have made to their lives. They have access to low-interest loan schemes, and the opportunity to share resources and experience to develop their honey-producing capacity and increase their standard of living.

• High-resolution images of Stephen Timms with Paul Chandler and Chino Henriquez are available.

• For more information contact Melissa Duncan at the Traidcraft press office on 0191 497 6462 or email melissad@traidcraft.co.uk.