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Fairtrade bananas

Leicester: Fair enough?

However, as appealing as cheap t-shirts and potatoes may be, it is important that the ethical implications of driving prices so low are not overlooked.

But how can the average Leicester student help in a battle that spans the globe?

Around 25 academic institutions across the United Kingdom currently have Fairtrade status; Leicester is not one of them.

Gaining Fairtrade status for Leicester was cited at the beginning of the academic year by Julia Coats, Vice President of Welfare, as a priority campaign.

So what does Leicester have to do to be branded a Fairtrade institution?

In order to be awarded Fairtrade status, the University must meet five goals:

1. The Student Union and the university authorities both create a Fairtrade policy incorporating these five goals.

2. Fairtrade foods are made available for sale in all campus shops. Fairtrade foods are used in all caf茅s/restaurants/bars on campus. Where this is not possible, there is a commitment to begin to use Fairtrade foods in these establishments as soon as it becomes possible to do so.

3. Fairtrade foods (for example, coffee and tea) are served at all meetings hosted by the university and the SU, and are served in all university and SU management offices.

4. There is a commitment to campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption on campus.

5. A Fairtrade Steering Group is set up.

An Ethical and Environmental working group has been set up by both Julia Coats and Aaron Porter (VP Finance and Services) to oversee not only Leicester's Fairtrade campaign but also energy efficiency and recycling on campus.

The Leicester People and Planet group within the Students' Union have taken charge of the Fairtrade campaign, and therefore can be seen as the Fair Trade 'steering group'.

And so far, People and Planet have already met with Nick Robinson (from University catering) to discuss how Fairtrade status would affect the University catering operation.