Children at St Joseph’s RC High School, Newport, have set-up a Fair Trade shop, ensured supplies of Fair Trade products in the canteen, used Fair Trade flowers in services and even have Fair Trade footballs in PE Lessons.

Now they have been giving Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, gift idea for Christmas.

The minister met members of the Eco Committee at St Joseph’s, who have been working hard to promote Fair Trade products and ensure producers in the developing world get a better deal.

Earlier this year the school, which already has Green Flag status, became one of the first in Wales to achieve Fair Trade status.

After meeting the pupils, the minister talked about plans to make Wales the world’s first Fair Trade country.

She said :”The use of Fair Trade products in Wales is helping thousands of developing country farmers and producers to trade their way out of poverty. The Fair Trade Country Campaign can engage all sections of society by raising awareness and sales of fair trade goods in Wales. That is the way for us all to play our part in Making Poverty History.

“Fair Trade is more than just tea and coffee nowadays with a host of different products available to fill stockings at Christmas. These include chocolate, clothing, sports balls, cosmetics, wine and beer, fruit juice, cakes and biscuits.”

For more information on how to become a Fair Trade school, how to support the campaign to Make Wales a Fair Trade country or about the range of products available go to www.fairtradewales.com