G8 PROTESTORS MAKE FOR EDINBURGH

3.15.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st Jul 2005

Protesters began descending on Edinburgh this morning ahead of the G8 summit, to urge the leaders of the world's richest nations to act to tackle climate change and eliminate poverty in Africa. Hopes that the summit will boost aid to Africa were raised yesterday by George Bush's promise to double American aid to the continent. But agreement on climate change appears unlikely with the US seemingly refusing to accept the problem exists.

The primary focus now should be the leaders of the eight richest countries in the world who will be meeting in Gleneagles. But if everyone who supports this campaign uses their powers as consumers to demand reassurance from major food chains that their purchases won't undermine the welfare of those we are seeking to help, that could achieve even more. The vast majority of consumers simply don't know whether their choice of bananas, coffee, fruit and vegetables from African, Asian, Latin American countries, will guarantee the farmers and workers adequate conditions of service and income. Make Poverty History campaigners should demand transparency from their supermarkets and claims made by retailers should be independently audited. Simon Davey, local Liberal Democrat campaigner says:

"I do not believe that all consumers in the UK are solely obsessed with price. Indeed, I doubt that a demand for fair trade for developing country producers would result in higher prices. It may narrow the profit margins for the retailers but it's about time the boot was on the other foot. I am not proposing that this be achieved through Government regulation, but the pressure of consumers on retailers could generate a voluntary initiative which would benefit all".