10 principles for a humane and environmentally friendly production of fair flowers.

BEHIND the FLOWERS is a educational film of 20 minutes for NGO’s and trade unions involved or interested in Fair Flowers Fair Plants.

More information about fair flowers:
your local NGO or trade union
www.bothends.org
www.olaa.nl
www.flowercampaign.org

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

1.FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
2. EQUALITY OF TREATMENT
3. LIVING WAGEES
4. WORKING HOURS
5. HEALTH AND SAFETY
6. PESTICIDES AND CHEMICALS
7. SECURITY OF EMPLOYMENT
8. PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
9. CHILD LABOUR IS NOT USED
10. NO FORCED LABOUR

People use flowers to decorate their houses or to give to their loved ones. People buy flowers to celebrate a special event, like birthdays, religious rituals and marriages, or to express their consolation when a loved one has passed away. Giving a bouquet of flowers is always an emotional gesture. Flower producers and traders embrace the sentimental and pure image which flowers have. It is a great selling point. Consumers are stimulated to buy flowers on special occasions like Mother’s and Valentine’s day.

What consumers often do not realise is what lies behind these beautiful flowers; how they are produced, where they come from and who is growing them. Consumers will generally not expect that such a romantic product might be produced under harsh conditions. Many consumers will most likely be shocked to learn about the story behind the flower production.

Flower production and trade is big business. The floricultural industry consists of cut flowers, pot plants and foliage. In countries like the Netherlands, Italy, Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia and Ecuador it is a well-established industry, in others such as Ethiopia and China it is a fast growing and expanding business. The flower industry provides many jobs, especially for women. Worldwide, flowers are produced and selected with great care. A similar care should be given to the workers in the sector and to the environment affected by the industry

To achieve this objective NGO’s and trade unions have set up an International Code of Conduct for the production of cut flowers. In this film the 10 principles from this Code will be presented. These 10 principles form the basis of a humane and environmentally friendly production of flowers.