To answer some of the questions you lot put up, (I'm really sorry I didn't do this before now, most of you will have forgotten all about me.)

As far as I know there is no Fair Trade movement in America, except perhaps in Starbucks. I know that over her they offer Fair Trade coffee (which is fabbbbb). I think I heard that Starbucks are doing a similar thing in the States. When I was last over, No One had heard of FT, which sucked. Costa's (who do FT coffee here) didn't do FT over there.

How would not buying the chocolate help the poor slave children? Well, not buying ANY obviously wouldn't as everyone would completely lose out. BUT by buying FT chocolate you are sending a definite message out to the company saying that we as consumers have become a lot more socially conscious, and we want to see the people that provide us with our luxury goods (as well as our essentials) being well treated and allowed a decent standard of living.

Fair Trade is not a company, but an independent review board who monitors the work practices of those companies and brands that claim to be FT.

Likewise there is an initiative set up called the "Ethical Trading Initiative" which asks companies who have ethical trading standards to sign up so that the can be monitored and their practices valued. It aims to promote ethical trading across the board as it is what consumers are asking for.

There is a high percentage of FT chocolate, which is NOT 70% cocoa. Co-ops own brand chocolate (39p a standard bar... regular price for ethical, scrummy chocolate) is the regular 40% cocoa. And tastes just as good.

There is a frightening possibility that some corporations might decide to work against the ETI and FT foundation, BUT there would be strong retribution from the public if that happened. Those who want to see change are campaigning and keeping an eye on the major corporations.

On another, but related subject: Tear Fund (a Christian charity that works with the poor and campaigns for fair-trade) has recently started another campaign, this time on the topic of ethical clothes. They are trying to convince main street shops that their customers (several thousand young people have sent in their protestations against the working conditions of those making their clothes) want to buy ethically traded clothing. The campaign is at a stage where they want to make the campaigners real, they are asking anyone who feels strongly to sign a card and take it into the store of their choice (from the list of targeted stores), where it should be signed by the shop assistant and passed up to the top level. We are hoping to impact the managers in this way.

If you want to get involved, go to: it doesn't like links, so copy paste and www. That.

If that doesn't work go to: "tearfund . org / youth" and click on "lift the label" then on "More" (no spaces, but I guess you knew that..)

God bless