Anne Dallat, wife of SDLP MLA John Dallat, says that fair trade is making a real difference to the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.

She tells: "Just as the Credit Union movement empowered people in Ireland in the Sixties and gave them control over their own saving and borrowing, the Fair Trade movement has had considerable success in giving small farmers real control over the price they get for their crops and goods.

"It allows the people to gain important skills, knowledge and experience in organising trade fairs, conferences as well as the ability to go out, market and sell their products with dignity and get a fair price in return.

"Malawian people and others in the developing countries don't want to exist on handouts but want a real chance to make a success of their businesses, whether in farming, arts and crafts, tourism or whatever.

"This is, without doubt, the first step to a new beginning which brings hope to the poor and the oppressed and we should all buy the products which are clearly fair trade in origin."