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Better Banana Project · Conservation Coffee Project
Flowers · Citrus · Cacao · New Crops
Flowers
The threats to forests and other biodiversity-rich ecosystems in the tropics resulting from traditional extractive industries and agribusiness are well known. Now, emerging threats come from non-traditional, localized, spreading rapidly, and enigmatic industries such as cut flowers and fern leaves, where growth rates are outstripping knowledge regarding how to minimize environmental and social impact and maximize compatibility with conservation and sustainable development.
Americans and Europeans have a passion for flowers. In recent years, growers in Latin America have been increasingly participating in the production of roses, tulips, sunflowers and other flowers for export to wealthier nations. This industry has virtually taken over large swaths of land in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Colombia and is spreading to other countries. Unfortunately, this industry exacts a heavy toll on workers and on the environment. Flowers and ferns are grown with large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers. Workers, spending many hours each day in the fields are exposed to these hazardous chemicals, often with little or no training or safety gear.
In an effort to better understand these industries, the Conservation Agriculture Network is embarking on a two-year project called "Analysis of the Cut Flower and Fern Leaves Industry in Latin America and Recommendations for Best Management Practices." The project will focus on conducting action-oriented, comprehensive research intended to bridge the gulf between the latest science and current practice. The project will bring together the floriculture industry, governments and non-governmental agencies to discover ways for reducing the environmental and social impacts of these industries in the tropics. Above all, the project's goal is to compile information and resources in a fashion that can be used to transform these industries towards environmental and social responsibility.
CAN's work with other industries, such as bananas and coffee, has shown that a good way to find the missing pieces is to start applying the information, invite all the stakeholders to observe the process, invite constant review and criticism, and make corrections as necessary. This process enriches the studies and ensures broad support of the conclusions, recommendations and ensuing programs.
Project activities include the following:
- Creation of a Flower and Fern Advisory Committee.
- Analysis of the Industry: The project will include a complete review of available information on the social and environmental impacts of the fern and flower industries. The project will analyze and document market trends, consumer demand, environmental and social impacts, other NGO initiatives, and make recommendations for future NGO projects. Based on this research the Alliance will publish a White paper and draft recommendations for the industry.
- Stakeholder Review -- Two workshops and two smaller meetings will be held with selected stakeholders in various locations. The purpose will be to collect basic information, seek feedback and analysis of data collected by our research team, and begin to explore the feasibility for NGO involvement. The CAN will compile a set of management criteria or best management practices (BMPs) for the industry, based on the conclusions of analysis and consultations.
- Review and Distribution of Our Findings -- A summary of the workshops will be added to the white paper and revisions will be made based on input of the Advisory Committee and the workshop participants. A complete report on the study will be available on the Rainforest Alliance Web site.
- Project Future -- Based on input from all stakeholders the CAN will propose actions to internalize and validate continuing improvements. These recommendations will be available to the public on the Rainforest Alliance site.
For more information on the Flower and Fern work of the Conservation Agriculture Network, please contact Ronald Sanabria, Program Associate, at Rsanabria@ra.org.
Coming Soon: The Social and Environmental Impacts of the Cut Flower and Fern Industries.
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