Some 120 Fairtrade producers met in London this week to discuss the future policies and practices of Fairtrade labelling. Coinciding with the World Trade Organisation meeting in Cancun, secretary of state for International Development, Valerie Amos headed a panel along with other trade experts, to debate the way forward.

The problems of adding-value to agricultural products were discussed, along with the difficulties for producers who are dependent on products that have a volatile market price.

Initiatives for selling Fairtrade goods were also highlighted. Amos said: "I am pleased to say there is involvement with business this year and we are trying to persuade businesses to purchase Fairtrade produce. This is also something that individuals should take on board as it is important that pressure comes both ways. If it wasn't for the pressure from consumers, we would never have seen Fairtrade products in the supermarkets in the first place."

Author and trade policy analyst Mark Curtis added: "There have been some attempts by some supermarkets to source from Fairtrade but their efforts are not enough."

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