The Dilemma of ‘Flower’ Miles

Diane Holt Queen’s University Belfast

Anna Watson University of Surrey

Contribution of Flower Farms in Kenya

10+ Fairtrade

52+ Farms

Employs 500,000

Employs 1 million indirectly

Assuming ration 1:4 – Supports 4 million

Bring $250 million into the economy

The contribution of Flower Farms

The Fairtrade Pyramid

548 producers

650 traders

800,000 families farmers and workers

Supports 5 million peoplesource Fairtrade

Environmental/Social/ Economic Trade Offs

• Development– Fairtrade– Foreign exchange– Trade not Aid– Lack of alternative

exports

– Suitable climates– Air vs. multiple road

miles

• Food /Flower Miles– Carbon Impact– Road Transport– Local Sourcing and

regional development

– Production?– Transportation?

cost / benefit analysis of industry Review current certification schemes in light

of the new imperative on carbon impact. overlap, uptake and adaptation

Using different certification standards as a ‘ladder’ of progress

Alternatives to reduce the 91% of emissions from air transport

Alternative product options and markets relationship between the consumers’ ethical

values and environmental motivations.