Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with Sainsbury's on its decision to withdraw from the Fairtrade scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Fair and ethical trade standards used by private sector firms can play an important role in creating and sustaining quality jobs in developing countries. DFID has been a long standing supporter of Fairtrade as well as other standards organisations that fall under the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling (ISEAL) Alliance umbrella. Officials are engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including business, standards organisations and NGOs and will monitor developments.