David Ruffley MP has urged his constituents to show their support for Fairtrade produce during Fairtrade Fortnight which runs until 19 March.

To mark Fairtrade Fortnight David has ensured that Fairtrade Tea, Coffee, Sugar and snacks are available to his Constituency Office Staff and has encouraged other workplaces to do the same.

• Sales of products with the Fairtrade mark are now running at £200million a year.

• Over 1500 Fairtrade products are now available, an 80 percent increase on 2005 when 850 were available.

• 40 percent of shoppers have purchased Fairtrade products

• 301 producer groups from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia are now benefiting from selling to the UK Fairtrade market.

David Ruffley is a staunch supporter of Fairtrade products and has made several visits to the Just Traid Centre in Bury St Edmunds.

David said:

'Fairtrade products are now a viable option for most consumers and I encourage my constituents to make an extra effort to sample some of the excellent produce available during this Fairtrade Fortnight.

'To mark this year's campaign I have ensured that Fairtrade tea, coffee and snacks are available to my Constituency Office Staff and would encourage other workplaces to do the same.

'I have been a supporter of the Just Traid Centre in St Johns Street since it came to Bury St Edmunds and they have some excellent talks and events scheduled for this year's Fairtrade Fortnight. I would hope as many people as possible get out to support them and I look forward to hearing of their success the next time I visit.'