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On 1 May 2019 we had a fascinating meeting entitled ‘Addicted to Palm Oil?’. We learnt that Oil palm is an amazing crop. It produces up to 9 times as much oil as any other crop so boycotting it could lead to its replacement by other crops which need more farmland and probably more deforestation. We need active consumers to demand a trustworthy certification scheme for sustainable palm oil; consumers who are prepared to pay a higher price for such a product. The Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) seems to be the most robust of several certification schemes there are at present. Jo Hand told us about an app for your phone that she and her husband have created https://gikibadges.com. It helps you find the products in the supermarket that fit your values and beliefs, such as the products that use sustainable palm oil. You can scan the barcodes and find out in seconds what’s good for you, better for the environment and fairer for others.

Thank you all our helpers persuading shoppers in Broad Street Reading to sign our cards and petition against incorporating secret ISDS Corporate Courts clauses in future Trade Deals. The windy and cold day did not affect our enthusiasm to inform the public. A great success.

February 27th: Our lively audience of 55 were inspired by Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now during Fairtrade fortnight. In addition to the role of Fairtrade in activating the public on issues of Just Trading in a capitalist world where corporate profit is emphasised above all, he gave examples from South America and Africa of where trade is used to exploit and dominate local populations, maintaining colonialism through financial control. He focused on Investor Dispute State System (ISDS) frequently written into trade contracts where corporates can sue governments (but not vice versa) for loss of profit through reasonable national legislation (such as pro-health), including potential profit. The wide and varied QA that followed showed a stimulating presentation.

British banks and companies give secret loans to poor countries, by-passing local laws. Then British companies then make huge profits while poor people suffer. Come to hear Tim Jones, campaigner and economist at Jubilee Debt Campaign, explained the situation and what the UK can do about it.

7.30pm Wednesday 30 January free/donations

RISC, 35 – 39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS

More info Jackie Oversby: 07745310794 / jackieoversby@gmail.com www.globaljustice.org.uk/reading

Jackie provided a fascinating insight into the world of e-commerce and its hold on our society to a lively audience. The following discussion provided many valuable responses that will enable us to take back power and influence and resist the impact of the corporate capitalist world.

We had a very successful day. 133 people signed letters to their MPs asking them to defend the standards and regulations that we currently observe on the quality of our food.