Douglas Alexander learns from Hilary Benn how to talk out of his arse on carbon emissions

It is a little difficult at times to understand what HM Embassy staff do, but they appear not to have briefed International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander at all well. In the Daily Mail today "War of the red roses" he is quoted in approval of sourcing St Valentin'es day red roses from Kenya ..."He called on people to buy Kenyan flowers this year, saying it would give an important boost to a nation riven by political strife and riots. "

Mr Alexander also addressed concerns that flying roses across the world generates huge carbon emissions.

He said: "Remember that flowers flown in from Kenya aren't grown in heated greenhouses - so they use less energy than most of those produced in Europe."

Lord Patel noted on Monday, January 28, 2008 in his post "Naivasha and St Valentine - and the stupidity of Mr Hilary Benn" that Alexanders Cabinet colleague Hilary Benn (Min Overseas Dev.) told an international sustainable food conference in February last year . " ... recent research showed that flowers flown from Africa used less energy than those produced in Europe, because they're not grown in heated greenhouses."

Well this pic shows the 50 hectares (at the last count) of the Oserian ( the largest flower supplier to the UK in Kenya) geothermally heated greenhouses. Here is a close up and a little explanation about how they produce Co2 .. take note Mr Benn. (click to enlarge) learn more at their website.



They also of course use pesticides that are forbidden for use in the EU, pay slave labour rates and have along with the other flower farms supplying Europe and the US destroyed the biosphere of Lake Nyavasha.

But hey ! he gets his name in the paper spouting eco-nonsense.

Lord Patel's top tip for the day ... See pic. Stick to the undies lads

UDATE 13th Feb 11.30 GMT

Kenya Struggles To Ship Roses Heidi Vogt, The Associated Press 13th Feb 2008
Tampa bay Online .."Kenyan growers have been pushing to keep exports up for the holiday despite ethnic violence that has paralyzed the East African country.

They've chartered planes to embattled western cities, enlisted armed police to protect flower-truck convoys and made pleading cell phone calls to frightened workers urging them to return.