McDonald’s is to become the UK’s first fast-food chain to serve up ethically sourced coffee in a deal worth £50m.

The chain plans to purchase all its coffee from farms approved by the Rainforest Alliance. The Alliance, an independent watchdog, enables farmers who use sustainable processes to earn an average of 25 cents more per 1lb of coffee.

Colombian coffee growers who belong to the Rainforest Alliance saw their income double to $1.6m (£0.82m) in 2006, and similar growth is expected in 2007.

Steve Easterbrook, president of McDonald’s UK, said the deal would “transform the market for sustainably grown coffee in the UK.”

McDonald’s outlets across Europe are set to follow the move, which joins previous incentives such as sourcing fish from sustainable fisheries and using free-range eggs.

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By Alex Blakelock

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