Sir - Fairtrade Fortnight has been celebrated in a big way in the city during these past two weeks. There were some 20 events, ranging from coffee mornings and tastings to a trail through the Botanic Gardens to a film and exhibition at Christ Church.

It concluded last Saturday with an event at Templars Square, which was visited by Andrew Smith MP and the Lord Mayor, John Tanner.

Stalls were set up by the Co-op and Fairtrade@St.Michaels. A Palestinian farmer held a tasting of his locally grown olive oil.

The highlight was a performance by students from St Gregory the Great School of a musical about the Brazilian rainforest. Balloons and leaflets about Fairtrade were handed out by members of Mish youth club in St Clement's.

In the UK, Fairtrade sales during 2007 were over half a billion pounds, up 80 per cent on the previous year.

It is receiving a further boost when Sainsbury's and the Co-op will soon be selling all their own-brand hot beverages as Fairtrade, to be followed by Tate and Lyle which will have its own brand sugar as Fairtrade.

Already, seven million poor farmers and their families are benefiting from the guaranteed prices which they receive as registered Fairtrade producers. Thank you to all who are buying their products and please encourage others to do so.

Jeff Alderson Oxford