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What are Fair Trade Certified Flowers?

Fair Trade is an international system of doing business

which offers better trading conditions for producers and

workers in developing countries. Behind the principles

and goals of Fair Trade is a rigorous international system

of monitoring, auditing, and certification.

Many people admire the beauty of a rose without thinking about

where the flower was produced, or under what conditions. In fact,

these popular tokens of love and affection are often grown under a

labour and chemical-intensive process that puts workers and theenvironment at high risk. With more pesticides per hectare than any

other form of agriculture, many workers in the conventional flower

industry suffer from serious health problems including headaches,

nausea, respiratory problems, and birth defects. Under the umbrella

of FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International), workers

who produce Fair Trade Certified flowers are guaranteed a minimum

wage and fair employment conditions including rigorous environ-

mental and safety standards, as well as a premium to invest in

social and economic initiatives in their communities.

Fair Trade Certified Flowers

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Fair Trade Certified…Guaranteed

How can you be sure that the flowers you choose meet international Fair Trade

standards? Look for the Fair Trade Certified logo, your guarantee for fairness and social

responsibility in international trade. www.transfair.ca

Flower FactsThe Dutch first began producing flowers for sale at auctions an

for export in the 1600s. Today, Dutch flower auctions sell 19

million flowers per day within a multi-billion dollar global industr

The Netherlands produces 50% of world flower exports, and

developed countries control most of the relevant technology

and expertise. However, a growing portion of cut flowers are

produced and exported by developing countries in the South.

The majority of flowers sold in Canada are imported from Latin

America, especially Colombia and Ecuador.

Roses are the most popular flower and the most widely traded

in the world, followed by carnations and chrysanthemums.

this document is printed on recycled pape

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 d i    a  /   C h r i    s  t   of  K r  a  c k  h  a r  d  t  

international fair trade standards for cut flower

A joint body of workers and management is formed to manage

the Fair Trade Premium, with workers given the veto in decision-

making. The Premium must be used for community developmen

and improved working conditions.

Forced labour and child labour of children under 15 years old

is prohibited. Children aged 15 and older cannot be doing work

that compromises their health or education.

Workers have freedom of association and collective agreement

They have the right to establish or join an independent union,elect their advisors and design their own programs.

Working conditions are equitable for all workers. Salaries must

be equal to or higher than the regional average or the minimum

wage in effect.

Health and safety measures must be established in order to avoi

work-related injuries. A detailed set of safety regulations specific

to flower production limit the use of agrochemicals and prohibi

the use of banned pesticides.

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What does the Fair TradeCertified logo stand for?

All links in the commercial chain are monitored: the producers are

certified by FLO and the importers and licensed companies are

registered with FLO or TransFair Canada. The tracking of all sales

ensures that products labelled with the Fair Trade Certified logofulfill international Fair Trade standards.

Fair Trade certification involves:

On-site inspections of certified producer organizations in

developing countries

Regular reporting and cross-checking of transactions

On-site audits of companies in Canada to verify the standards

Monitoring the usage of the Fair Trade Certified logo

Flower PartnersTransFair Canada is a member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations

International (FLO), who is responsible for certifying and monitoring

producers. Fair Trade Certified flowers are grown by 29 producerorganizations from Colombia, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Tanzania and

Zimbabwe. In Canada you can find flower licensees and retail outlets

on the TransFair Canada website: www.transfair.ca

Fair Trade Certified…Guaranteed

How can you be sure that the flowers you choose meet international Fair Trade

standards? Look for the Fair Trade Certified logo, your guarantee for fairness and social

responsibility in international trade. www.transfair.ca

© fairtrade media / Christof Krackhar

The Fair Trade Market is Growing 

TransFair Canada is a national non-profit certification and publiceducation organization promoting Fair Trade to improve the livelihood

of developing world farmers and workers. Canadian consumers are

responding enthusiastically to the opportunity to enjoy quality and

beauty while directly benefiting the lives of farmers and their families.

Fair Trade Certified flowers have been available in Canada since 2005.

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© fairtrade media / Christof Krackhardt

The premiums are used to pay all school fees for all children and dependants of the employees who

work on the farm. It has been used to finish installing electricity in the houses in the farm village.

 At the moment we have problems trying to buy maize meal as there is a shortage and so the money isused to buy rice in bulk which helps us. We have opened our own clinic on the farm and the money

helps us buy medicines for the clinic.” – Christine Bhareka, flower grower of Zeibari Farm, Zimbabwe

Fair Trade Certified Flowers“

I have been paid my pro-rata leave dues and I am benefiting from a

provision of free basic medical coverage. I have also learnt about

freedom of association which I was not really aware of before”.

 – Teresa Wanjiru Muki Ri, Panda Flowers Limited, Kenya

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