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Is Cut Flower Ethical in the Uk?

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Submitted By sue347
Words 843
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Introduction
Nearly 80% of the cut flowers we buy in the UK are imported from the Netherlands, Colombia and Kenya. The world's largest flower-farming nations are the Netherlands, Colombia, Kenya and Israel and they are main exporters to the UK. For years, the flower industry suffers from social and environmental problems.

Environmental issues
A lot of people do not concern so much about what pesticides are used to grow flowers. According to a Guardian report (Siegle, 2012), 12 different pesticides are used to help flowers grow in Columbia. Furthermore, some flower farmers use toxic pesticides which are banned in industrialized nations in Ethiopia. Moreover, the issues over the carbon foot print have been increased as the use of air-freighted flowers increased (Siegle, 2006). With issues over pesticides and carbon foot print, water shortage, impacts of greenhouses on landscape, and packaging issues were also being associated with the cut flower industry.

Social issues
Besides the environmental problems, social issues such as low wages, health and safety issues and labour rights are also being associated with the cut flower industry. In Colombia, flower farmers are exposed to systematic labour abuses and toxic chemicals exposure remains an important concern among farmers. Health issues persist as farmers are forced to work double shifts to meet consumers’ demand with depressing labor rights. The flower industry is comprised of between 65-75 percent of women workers, women’s issues such as sexual harassment and compulsory pregnancy testing tend to be pressing (Holt and Watson, 2008). Furthermore, issues over the lack of permanent employment have been raised. Flower workers are hired by “cooperatives” and they get only temporary work contracts limited to only one to three months.

Fair Trade and some solutions
All these problems are cannot be covered perfectly. However, Fair trade, which is an organised social movement, help to reduce these problems by helping producers achieves better trading conditions (Fairtrade.org.uk, 2015). All flower farms must follow clear rules relating to the protection of natural resources, the use of chemicals and disposal of waste to conserve the environment. All Fairtrade certificated flowers are transported by ship which impacts the lowest carbon footprints compared to any mode of transport (Fairtrade.org.uk, 2015)
Fairtrade Foundation has enlisted a number of farmers who grows flowers according to strict standards which cover economic, environmental and social development indicators. Flower farms have to meet basic environmental and labour standards to meet Fairtrade standards. Moreover, flowers farms are required to be a commitment to demonstrating ongoing improvement and all of situations are monitored by the Fairtrade certification body, Flo Cert, regularly (Fairtrade.org.uk, 2015). Workers on Fairtrade Farms must be ensured that they are treated fairly and decently by receiving fair payment, and having the right safety equipment and conditions at work.

Conclusion

This paper has been discussed the social and environmental issues in the cut flower industry. The issues over pesticides and carbon foot print, water shortage, impacts of greenhouses on landscape, and packaging issues were aroused as environmental concerns. Beside these concerns, social issues are also being associated with the cut flower industry. As consumers' ethic concerns have increased, attention to fair trade has also increased. By supporting ethical consumption, consumers could not only reducing environmental and social problem but also contributing to the growth of developing countries.

References

Abcolombia.org.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.abcolombia.org.uk/subpage.asp?subid=574&mainid=23 [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015].
Anon, (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.lgec.org.uk/assets/files/Sustainable_Skills/Floristry_articles/Behind_the_Label_cut_flowers.pdf [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015].
Befair.be, (2015). Say it with Flowers: ethics and sustainability in the flower value chain | TRADE FOR DEVELOPMENT CENTRE. [online] Available at: http://www.befair.be/en/content/say-it-flowers-ethics-and-sustainability-flower-value-chain-0 [Accessed 17 Apr. 2015].
Fairtrade.org.uk, (2015). How Fairtrade monitors and measures impact. [online] Available at: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/what-is-fairtrade/the-impact-of-our-work/how-fairtrade-monitors-and-measures-impact [Accessed 17 Apr. 2015].
Hickman, L. (2006). Leo Hickman: Is it OK ... to buy cut flowers?. [online] the Guardian. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2006/feb/14/ethicalmoney.leohickmanonethicalliving [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015].
Holt, D. and Watson, A. (2008). Exploring the dilemma of local sourcing versus international development – the case of the flower industry. Bus. Strat. Env., 17(5), pp.318-329.
Nigel's Eco Blog, (2014). Why it could be better to buy flowers from Kenya this Mother’s Day - Nigel's Eco Blog. [online] Available at: http://www.nigelsecostore.com/blog/2014/03/17/why-it-could-be-better-to-buy-flowers-from-kenya-this-mothers-day/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015].
Siegle, L. (2006). Lucy Siegle: Is it ethical to buy cut flowers?. [online] the Guardian. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2006/may/14/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth [Accessed 17 Apr. 2015].
Siegle, L. (2012). Ethical flowers for the big day. [online] the Guardian. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/apr/01/ethical-flowers-wedding-day [Accessed 10 Apr. 2015].

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