HONITON is a front runner in the race to become the first Fairtrade Town in East Devon. It is neck-and-neck with Exmouth, at a time when Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary are also showing interest.

HONITON is a front runner in the race to become the first Fairtrade Town in East Devon.It is neck-and-neck with Exmouth, at a time when Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary are also showing interest.Following a presentation in the town last Wednesday, a steering group was formed.Honiton Town Council will now be asked to drive the proposal forward. Councillors' support is the first step to gaining Fairtrade Town status. They will be asked to support the bid by taking practical action as well as committing the council to using Fairtrade goods."It was a very positive meeting," said steering group member Tony Simpson, of Honiton Senior Council."We were given a lot of information, particularly about the link between Fairtrade and local producers. "We would like a link with the farmers' market."Mr Simpson added: "We've got to make it happen now. "At the end of the day, it is about alleviating poverty and supporting sustainable development both here and in the developing world."One third of the world's farmers are small producers."Other steering group members include Vernon Whitlock and Peter Fleming (Honiton Town Council), Peter Brain (The Fairtrade Foundation) and David Hayler (Honiton and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry).Honiton already meets an important part of the Fairtrade Town criteria in that local businesses are already using and selling Fairtrade goods.Now Honiton will be under pressure to take the Fairtrade message out into the wider community, launching public initiatives.The steering group aims to ensure Honiton is a Fairtrade Town by the time Fairtrade Fortnight is staged in 2010.A report, compiled by Plymouth University students following recent contact with local retailers, is likely to be made public in the near future.WHAT do you think? Tell your Herald.