4 December 2008, British Library Conference Centre, Euston Road, London.

This conference hosted by the Co-operative movement will examine the extent to which consumers’ concerns over the ethical production of their food have impacted on commercial practices. Has the ethical consumer movement made its voice heard down the supply chain? Are food producers, in the UK and abroad, heeding calls for more sustainable production? How can social and economic justice for small-scale farmers be achieved? How can we make their voice more effective in the future? How are communities on the ground taking action to respond to the desire for sustainable food? And how will these issues be influenced by the current financial climate?

The conference will be chaired by Sheila Dillon, presenter of Radio 4’s The Food Programme. Speakers will include: Peter Marks, Chief Executive, The Co-operative Group, Professor Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University, Professor James Sumberg, the New Economics Foundation, Kathini Maloba, General Secretary of the Kenya Women Workers Organization, Tomy Matthews Fair Trade Association of Kerala, Carolyn Steel, author of ‘Hungry City’, James Graham, chief executive of SAOS (the Scottish farmers’ co-operative movement), representatives of the NFU and TUC, and a range of thinkers and practitioners.

For more details see here. An online booking form will be available from 20 October. Alternatively, email ethicalshopping@fairandsquare.coop or telephone 0161 246 2944.