Solihull MP backs Make Poverty History Campaign

1.41.52pm GMT Mon 7th Nov 2005

Lorely Burt MP with Make Poverty History campaigners from Solihull

Tens of thousands of people from all over the country descended on Westminster in a mass lobby of Parliament organised by the Make Poverty History Coalition, last week.

Solihull Member of Parliament Lorely Burt met constituents who had travelled from Solihull and pledged to back moves in Parliament to make poverty history through promoting trade justice for developing countries.

Mrs Burt said:"We must work through the EU ahead of world trade talks in December to find ways for developing countries to shape their own trade policies. Simply forcing free market conditions on poorer countries whilst the EU and US continues to subsidise state agriculture and industries causes untold damage and poverty to poor nations.

"I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson asking him what the Government will do to change the EU negotiating position at World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks this year. It is vital that we help poor nations develop their own policies to protect their vulnerable farming and service sectors, and to promote their national industries."

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