Dec 9 2011
Ethically Sourced Flowers
The flowers represent emotions and a very positive impact on people. You need to communicate their feelings to their loved ones. Would not it be better if people can trust to deliver sustainable, ethical way to buy flowers to communicate feelings?Ethical commitment is a feeling, so good! Buying sustainable flowers, ethical business is a niche in the UK, with only a handful of florists, the products can actually buy ethically.
First some numbers:
The total market for cut flowers and indoor plants in the UK is estimated at £ 2200000000 and 3000000000 pounds higher than expected in 2011. Despite the invasion of several alternatives, including gifts, chocolate and wine, people still say it with flowers, while the UK behind the rest of Europe in the annual per capita expenditure of flowers.
It is a perennial debate about the standards of the flower industry, as consumers in the past with confusing symbols have faced the ethical quality. The Kenya Flower Council, which controlled a large share of imports in the accounts in the UK, which is regulated by the Fair Trade, the code has more than 1,000 farms in Kenya, although only about 25 large companies provide over 75% flower exports from Kenya. Since its introduction in the floral industry in 1999, supports the work of Fair Trade in circulation more than 10,000 workers in developing countries, through ethical work environment. In subsequent years the sector has grown strongly and the competitive environment has evolved. Fair trade initiatives tend to work best when placed in highly fragmented industries such as fruits and vegetables, with many small producers, but not as well established in most industries.This is because fair trade initiatives disproportionately benefits large organizations effectively penalize the development of small producers in the competitive environment.
Plants Flowers Good Good (PFC) is a European initiative that addresses historic shortcomings by creating a level playing field for all producers through the creation of uniform global standards.One of the unique characteristics of the FFP, the focus is on controlling the supply chain for the use of pesticides, land, energy and environment to regulate. Moreover, flexibility, florists, their products, either directly or through producers meet FFP flower auctions. The second approach ensures fresh flowers produce less waste and a satisfied customer (key!). The goal of long-term FFP to unite all existing rules to make it easier for farmers.
As in any free market, there is evidence that consumer demand for growth in supply. If no one wants FFP accredited flowers, you can not easily cultivated. An estimated 18.1 million steal Fairtrade in the UK were sold in 2005, so there are obviously people who are willing to buy the flowers in an ethical manner.The challenge for the FFP is in the national awareness of Fair Trade is the de facto standard in the minds of most people. One of the things that most people want to hear is that FFP accredited flowers typically cost more than non FFP flowers, so a good egg does not mean that a hole in your pocket too!