Kenya comes out fighting for 'fair miles'

Kenya is hitting back against the eco-warriors once again, with their government suggesting that carbon miles are ‘gimmicks’ designed to block competition. To underline their point, the nation’s flower growers have launched the ‘Grown Under the Sun’ campaign to inform British consumers about the development benefits associated with buying fresh produce from Kenya.

Kenya Flower Council chairman Erastus Mureithi said the campaign was aimed at impressing on consumers that unlike flowers grown in Europe, which are artificially lit, Kenya's are produced under natural conditions.

Mureithi was speaking on Monday at a ceremony to award a local flower farm, Simbi Roses, with a Silver Standard certificate given to growers who practise stipulated environmental and social regulations which conform to internationally accepted rules.

Speaking at the same function, Roads minister Simeon Nyachae said that ‘Carbon miles and negative publicity are gimmicks being used by competitors to spoil the flower industry.’

The campaign was launched by Kenya's high commissioner to Britain, Mr Joseph Muchemi, at the Royal Show, during a seminar on the subject of carbon emissions and food miles.