On the eve of yet another Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d clue everyone in on some secrets of the flower industry. If you live in Vancouver and get some roses today, there’s a very good chance they come from Kenya.
Here in the West, we are picky consumers. God forbid we buy flowers that are anything less than perfect condition, right? Since we’re so finicky, supermarkets demand a high cosmetic standard from their suppliers in developing countries, and don’t accept flowers even slightly damaged by pests or drought. This raises the potential health hazard risks to workers using heavy pesticides. In a country like Kenya, where roses make up about 74% of flower exports, reducing pesticide use is important not only for health and safety but food security. Flower-farming is the third-largest foreign-currency industry in Kenya (after tourism and tea exports) and is rapidly becoming larger in an arena of violence and political upheaval. Apparently the situation is so violent that armed escorts and airlifts are being used so we can have our roses.
So before you run out and grab some roses for your significant other, lover, crush or what have you, think twice! I’m not asking you to boycott flowers completely of course. Why not buy local instead – or better yet, pick your own?
image credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/image/s_wedding-button-holes1.jpg
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