This is a good article written by journalist and broadcaster Tim Harford for www.news.bbc.co.uk
economic patriotism in a downturn
It fits in with our view that its great to buy Britsh products when they're available but equally good to buy from overseas when they are not. The key is to make sure that your choice is based on good information about what you're buying and how it's produced.
The view that we should only buy local and seasonal products year round is in our view rather blinkered and the recent campaign to ensure that we buy only British flowers is a little flawed as there are many reasons (apart from keeping the country's thousands of florists in business!)as to why customers might want to buy flowers in the winter months.
Our farm in Kenya is a fine example of good practice in cut flower growing overseas. There are no heated glass houses as the climate is ideal for growing roses and the farm is a gold member of the Kenya Flower Council that has an internationally recognized and respected code of practice and is a good reference for anyone buying Kenyan flowers.
This is a photo of our Kenyan farm and one of the bicycles used for riding around the rose beds!