UK: Planting for peace

Manchester-based Olive Co-operative has launched a tree planting sponsorship programme in partnership with the Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA) and Zaytoun, the importers of Palestinian olive oil. The programme, called ?Trees For Life ? Planting Peace in Palestine?, offers the public the opportunity to sponsor the planting of olive trees in Palestine.

The new trees will offset the destruction wrought in Palestinian olive groves by the Israeli army and settlers. According to the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem over 500,000 olive trees have been destroyed since 2000. Each new tree sponsored represents a long-term source of income for Palestinian families, who have been harvesting olive oil, fruit and wood for generations.

The trees will be distributed in Palestine by the PFTA to farmers who follow fair trade guidelines and who will benefit from future purchases of Palestinian olive oil.

£20 (30 euro) will sponsor five trees. Sponsorship online and by phone is available from Olive Co-operative:

www.olivecoop.com