Kenya, roses and trade

This interesting article tells the difference fairtrade can make but also how it may not be a panacea.

At the Oserian farm, where 5,000 workers labour in a sprawl of greenhouses from where daily shipments head straight to Tesco's, Sainsbury, Marks & Spencer and other outlets, the Fairtrade brand is seen as a way to polish the industry's tarnished image and balance the competing interests of business and Lake Naivasha's ecosystem.

While it is good that fairtrade roses mean a better deal for the workers and the communties that are involved in production, the longer term ecosystem issues are worrying. And that's befor we address the issue of air miles and the CO2 impact.
That latter also has me asking questions about my coffee which although fairly traded is still shipped [but not flown, mecifully] from half way across the world...
Guardian Unlimited Shopping | Shopping | How Kenya is caught on the thorns of Britain's love affair with the rose:
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