Lindsay Lohan gets into ethical fashion by being the face of Visa Swap

Visa Swap takes place in London in June this summer. Pop up shops will be in Covent Garden and all you ethical ladies out there will be able to bring along your old, unwanted clothes and receive points on your visa card. Later in July you will be able to swap your points for the clothes others have brought in. Lindsay has kindly agreed to put her face to the project. Any items left at the end of this will be donated to TRAID. Click here for the full story from WWD.com

Sales of Sewing Machines sore...

Staying on the theme of ethical fashion, sales of sewing machines are on the up. Argos are reporting a 500% rise in sales of the basic models. FemaleFirst.co.uk report on the background climate to this change. With more recycling, more concern over the economic climate and also with that desire for a stylish and individual look, it seems homegrown fashion is back. Full story here

Fairtrade Towns in the USA

3rd May 2008 is the start of America's 1st Fairtrade Fortnight. Not only that, but the 1st Fairtrade towns are emerging. Bruce from Garstang who thought up the Fairtrade Town idea, must be proud :) Taos, in New Mexico, announced its Fairtrade Town status in February and is the 1st town in the Western United States. We wish them well & hope that this idea will run just like it has here in the UK. Full story here

The PETA campaign against Australian wool wins another brand

Miami based clothing brand Perry Ellis joins the PETA (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) campaign against Australian wool farmers who use museling on their sheep. Museling, where skin is removed from the animals rear end, is a technique that farmers use to protect the sheep against fly strike. PETA running a campaign against this cruel technique. This campaign has been running for five years and has brands such as Hugo Boss, Timberland & H&M behind it. Full story here

Finally we call for more of your support with a current petition to help the bee population

Scientists are requesting that the Government fund vital research into Unknown Colony Collapse Disorder.

The British Beekeeping Association has requested £8m for the government to fund 5 years research into Colony Collapse Disorder. The government has stated that no funds exist within the existing farming research budget.

Kept honey bees provide a significant percentage of pollination to food crops, fruit orchards and of course provide honey.

Colony Collapse Disorder is a disease which has affected hives in the US and has been reported in France, Germany and Italy. Its entry into the UK is most likely inevitable.

This fundamental research needs to be performed in order to protect the country bees before it arrives. As in almost all cases, being prepared for something reduces its impact for a fraction of the cost compared to being unprepared.

Currently only £1.35m per annum is available to the National Bee Unit (part of Defra), this funds all its statutory activities as well as research. If there is no money in the farm research budget, then money should be made available from contingency funds.

click here to sign the petition - the deadline for signing is 11th June and so far just over 2000 people have signed - so we need more support - so please forward on to friends & those that you think would help :)