Green Party

Fair trade, animal welfare, and ethical policies

• A Green Party motion for Norwich to become a Fair Trade City was adopted by the City Council. This means that the Council stocks and helps to promote Fair Trade goods.
• Green Councillors influenced the new City Council procurement policy requiring the Council to consider environmental and social factors when purchasing goods and services. For example, the Council should purchase products that are Fair Trade, recycled, light on energy use, and not tested on animals.
• Green County Councillors persuaded the County Council to take a more transparent approach when deciding how to invest its pension funds. £9.4m invested in three arms companies. Green Councillor Chris Hull proposed that £9.4 million invested in arms companies should be re-invested into ethical funds, without jeopardising returns for pension holders. Fund managers now have to explain where they are proposing to invest money so informed decisions can be made. The Green Councillors feel this is a small step in the right direction and will continue to press for a fully ethical policy.
• Green City Councillors were successful in calling for Norwich City Council to ban foie gras from Council catering and market stalls. Foie gras production is notoriously cruel, involving the continual force-feeding of geese.
• Green Councillors have achieved other measures to help animals and wildlife, such as the installation of a road crossing to help migrating toads, and a ban on goldfish being given as prizes at fairs.