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	FAQs on Kenya’s Floricultural Exports
	6. How much employment is generated by the industry? The number of direct employees in the export industry is estimated at 100,000, while indirect employees in affiliated activities on service provision, and inputs etc are approximately 1.2 million people who derive a livelihood from the export industry. If each has four dependants, the total beneficiaries are 4.8 million people or 14% of the population. 7. What steps have been taken to comply with new market standards? Majority of all producers are compliant with main trade and statutory environmental, health & safety, traceability and social standards e.g. Kenya Flower Council Code of Practice, GlobalGAP, MPS, Fair Flowers & Plants (FFP) ETI, Fair Trade, BRC etc. Kenya has been a pioneer in accreditation to EurepGAP, now GlobalGAP, where Kenya Flower Council was the first national scheme world wide to be accredited to EurepGAP in 2005. Recently the Council was accredited to carry out farm audits against the Kenya Standard for Flowers and Ornamentals (KS1758), on behalf of Kenya Bureau of Standards. The Council is also now a fully fledged Products Certification Body by the South Africa National Accreditation Services (SANAS), as of October 2008. 8. Is horticulture having a negative effect on the environment? Kenya has more protected conservation areas than most African countries and is providing unique wildlife and eco-friendly holidays to record numbers of tourists. High altitude growing at equatorial latitudes produces quality flowers without fossil fuels (heating and lighting) – Kenyan produce is “grown under the sun”. There is an ongoing project to participate in the formulation of national environmental standards as pertains the industry to ensure that not only are growers part of the decision makers, but that they also comply with national as they strive to meet international standards. Never the less, Kenyan growers are actively seeking cleaner technologies by using geothermal and solar techniques for power generation, while water and organic matter are recycled by most farms. Studies carried out show relatively low carbon footprints, estimated at 1 ton per capita compared to the developed world, where levels of up to 40 tons per capita have been cited. 9. What is the level of research and training? Top quality research on new varieties and products is carried out continuously by the private sector with public sector support. Research to reduce freight costs is a priority, for example by using more efficient packaging by air and by developing sea freight systems for many products. More than 120 graduate horticulturalists are produced each year by four universities and a new vocational training institute is in the pipeline. 10. Will the new EPAs make Kenyan products more expensive? Kenya, as part of the East African Community, retained duty-free access into European markets.
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