Frankfurt - To celebrate the upcoming Valentine's Day on 14 February warned the environmental group WWF from the environmental impacts of uncontrolled growth of Kenya's cut flower industry. Each year, grown in the region of 60,000 tonnes Naivashasees cut flowers, primarily for the European market, in irrigated systems. Since 1995, production has more than tripled. "Such a huge increase is due to the amount of water it claimed, not without risks for the fragile ecosystem," warned Martin Geiger, Head of the WWF Freshwater Germany. The WWF Therefore, by industry and local authorities to consider at length how much water is available at all and which factors in how much water is used and polluted. Only then could work out binding standards for use, while also highlighting the limits of development. According to a recent WWF study, could the ecosystem of the Naivashasees by pesticide-linked, over-exploitation and lack of rainfall due to climate change will be permanently damaged. The number of roses coming from Kenya on the German market could be at up to 480 million units per year.
"For the region, whose relative prosperity almost exclusively based on agricultural production, it would be an economic meltdown should dry up, the fresh water, "warns Geiger. Only sustainable farming methods, therefore, guarantee long-term success and beautiful at the same time, the water resources that are not only local people but also for the survival of charismatic species such as giraffe, wildebeest and leopard, is crucial. "Water is a finite resource. The Naivasha region has yet to preserve the unique opportunity through a customized and controlled water management, this basis of economy and ecology, "says Geiger.
Kenya is one of the world's largest exporters of Cut flowers. Seventy percent of Kenya's production comes from the region Naivasha. They are therefore an important economic factor and important foreign exchange earner, the WWF. At the same time the water level of Naivashasees is subject to considerable fluctuations. Besides natural factors for the large flower farms are also held responsible. "Of course no one should give to its bouquet of roses on Valentine's Day," said Martin Geiger. At the same time it was for both the growers and the retailers in their own interest, the water resources of the Naivasha ecosystem to spare. "If the growers of cut flowers do not own the water excavation, have they are ready to act now, "says Geiger.
Background: Rose Imports
At least half of all roses sold on Valentine's Day originates from southern countries, especially East Africa and Latin America. According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, in 2009 imported more than 940 million roses, worth EUR 201.9 million to Germany. Jeopardizing the Netherlands (650 million), Kenya (152 million) and Zambia (46 million), the main importing countries dar. It should be noted that Holland but exports a large amount of roses, they constitute but most of goods from other source countries, the Dutch flower auctions are sold on. About 55 percent of the product traded in Holland and sold on roses from Kenya. Accordingly, the number of posts originating from Kenya rose in the German market at up to be 480 million.
Source: WWF.de
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