Addis Ababa, May.21(ENA)--"The Big Noise" campaign coordinated by Oxfam International, Panos and the Ethiopian Coffee Union continued exerting its efforts to call for a better price for Ethiopia's coffee farmers.

At a press conference held here on Thursday, football stars from Coffee FC ,Simi'on Abay and Ali Redi and musician Tewodros Mosisa announced their support for the

'Big Noise' petition adding to the already high profile support of people like Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, track super star major Haile G/Silassie and others.

In addition, with an agreement made between the club and Football Federation, Coffee FC arranged a football game against St. George on Sunday to further swelling the petition.

Big Noise Campaign co-coordinator, Eliot Washington said on his part that "coffee is the heart of Ethiopian life and that is why so many people are willing and eager to add their support to the campaign."

"The pain caused by the low coffee prices is not only affecting farmers but also the whole of the country, through loss in export earnings," he said.

The co-coordinator requested all concerned to take their time to sign up to the campaign and ask their friends, family, colleagues and business contacts to do the same.

He said the petition, which is expected to reveal the unfair trade rules and action imposed on Ethiopia's coffee from international coffee companies, would be presented to the annual conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

It was stated at the press conference that out of the targeted 5 million 'Big Noise' petition, the co-coordinating body has already gathered well over 600,000 petitions over the last four months.

People can now sign up to the petition at the Oxfam, Panos and Coffee Unions Offices established across the capital.

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