§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the potential danger to workers involved in the flower industry in Kenya due to exposure to chemicals; and if he will make a statement. [122017]
§ Hilary BennKenya is a major supplier of cut flowers both to the UK and European markets. Exporting firms operate under Codes of Practice or Standards agreed with buyers from these markets. Most such Codes commit the growers to follow acceptable practices in the use of chemicals and pesticides in order to protect the health and safety of workers. Kenyan law also contains several provisions relating to worker health and safety.
DFID has worked with leading flower growers and the Kenya Flower Council to develop an industry-wide code, which covers good practice in the use of chemicals. DFID has also been working with the Ethical Trading Initiative and industry stakeholders to provide training and capacity building, and both DFID and the ETI are observers on a recently-formed Steering Committee, comprising all stakeholders in the flower sector, which is developing a framework for social auditing. These initiatives are designed to help ensure that good practice is not only developed but is also implemented.