A red herring, a canary in the mineshaft and more hard truth!

It strikes me that the Kenyan government's decision to suspend Rainforest Alliance for tea is akin to blaming the cow when the butter melts on a hot summers day.

Bloody cow!

Look, I am not a lover of certifications and all that they have/have not delivered for the industry but let's be clear, this is merely a knee jerk reaction to something much more fundamental than programme costs.

However, it reflects the desperation of a Government that has no easy way out of a situation that has been a long time in the making. Disengaging a programme that brands and retailers have been trained to demand, within certain markets, is tantamount to offering a one fingered salute, to that market and therefore ill advised, unless, of course you have calculated the risk vs reward. One can imagine that there is silent encouragement from other competitors, for this action, as it rolls out the red carpet for others, still sporting the frog. Now, I am not suggesting for one minute that withdrawal from this programme and others is not warranted but the cost has to be counted and mitigation strategies put in place, prior to "going there"!

Such a strategy would, necessarily, involve discussions with brands, retailers and consumers to understand the values being met by the "stamp" and what needs doing, through policy change, enforcement, education initiatives and business practices to replace the current programme, if no harm was intended.

The lack of any such pre-planning implies that a scapegoat is needed and inaction is not an option!

However, lest this be taken as a one sided blame game, in reading the release from Rainforest, there is one phrase that jumps out at me and worthy of discussion.

"As a mission-driven nonprofit Rainforest Alliance is not a commercial market actor..." This appears a naive statement, given the direct correlation between increased productivity and the sorrowful impact on the market. The intention I am sure was well meaning but paying lip service to paymasters who have a singular focus on lower prices was, well, naive at best and self serving at worst.

So, whether or not the Government (KTDA) are pointing an errant finger or not, the kick up the backside that this represents to certifiers and other 3rd party programming, should speak volumes to all involved with regard the inequity of many of these "intrusions". The fact that none of the existing programmes has focused on a living wage/income says it all (Yes, some are very belatedly talking this up but, the solutions???) . Instead the agenda has been driven up the supply chain with a conceited myopic appraisal for the primary needs of farmers. Too strong? But probably only to the, relatively, well heeled enough to have a conscience rather than a daily imperative.

I do believe that the most comprehensive knowledge, of the short comings of this industry and others, is in the hands of those executing such programmes, they have laudable data from audits and other mechanisms plus the expertise to analyze this but it may be time to move from front of house to the kitchen (too many analogies, I know). This does not dilute their influence, all good restaurants are because of their Chef's not their maitre d's but it is more defensible, without giving up on all those facets that need work within the industry.

As for Kenya tea, too many red herrings in the net should be telling you, Kenya tea industry, something. No, it is not Rainforest costs, nor selling costs or collusion between international buyers that has created the issues you face today. Low prices come from market imbalances and you must listen to what the prices are telling you and act in the best interest of farmers long term.