Recently, media attention has been drawn to a report in a French newspaper about an eleven-year-old girl who died as a result of pesticide exposure her mother experienced years ago while working with flowers.
In recent weeks, this has been the talk of the town: How dangerous is a bouquet? Are flowers good for the environment? And what about toxins? Should we stop giving bouquets of flowers? The municipalities of Zutphen, Amersfoort and The Hague think so and are largely banning bouquets of flowers.
Jan Huisman of platform De Vakbloemist tells BP News that the negative sentiment is having a significant impact on the sector. 'We need to start the conversation now, especially with municipalities and other parties that are critical of this. By showing them what the growers are already doing and thus removing ignorance. [...] Perhaps this is precisely the moment to seize new opportunities, such as offering organic flowers and responding to changing consumer needs. People still want flowers; let's make sure they can make sustainable and responsible choices.'
It can also raise questions from employees or customers in flower shops. VBW, together with the entire chain, has drawn up an initial response. Florists can use this information when answering questions from customers or the press.
It states that very different crop protection products are used today than fifteen years ago. The Dutch flower sector attaches great importance to safe and healthy working conditions throughout the chain. If employees or entrepreneurs are concerned about working with flowers, we advise them to use the 'Q&A personal protective equipment' from Royal Flora Holland.
