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Largest U.S. Supplier of Cut Flowers Marks Ten-Year Commitment
to Floral Quality
Colombian Flower Industry Celebrates Socially Responsible,
Environmentally Friendly FlorverdeŽ Label
January 24, 2007 — The Colombian Association of Flower Exporters,
Asocolflores, is proud to announce the 10-year anniversary of
FlorverdeŽ. FlorverdeŽ is a unique certification program created
by Asocolflores to improve Colombian workers' quality of life
and to ensure Colombian-grown flowers meet specific environmental
standards.
Today, approximately three-fourths of all cut flowers imported into the U.S. — two billion stems — come from Colombia.
"The Colombian flower industry has made significant advancements
since the creation of the FlorverdeŽ certification. Today, the
FlorverdeŽ label is recognized among commercial flower buyers
in the United States and Europe as assurance that our flowers
have been grown in compliance with social, environmental, labor,
and occupational health and safety standards," said Asocolflores
Chairman of the Board Ernesto Velez.
To mark the 10th anniversary, a new web site will be launched
in February of this year. Florverde.org will educate growers,
buyers and the public about Florverde's standards and guidelines
and make additional certification information readily available.
"The Colombian flower industry is committed to increasing the
number of growers that are FlorverdeŽ-certified," said Vélez.
"This website will act as a resource to wholesalers, retailers
and others in the distribution chain looking for information on
the FlorverdeŽ label." Currently, more than 165 Colombian farms
participate in the FlorverdeŽ program, representing half of the
cultivated area in the country.
The FlorverdeŽ certification and standards were developed by Asocolflores
a decade ago as a way to improve the lives and living standards
of floral farm workers and their families; to preserve and protect
the environment for the industry's farmers for generations to
come; and to ensure high-quality, affordable flowers for consumers
year-round. In order to receive FlorverdeŽ certification, participating
farms must comply with all compulsory standards and codes of conduct,
including operational and social guidelines. Certification is
verified by an independent third party, SGS, a renowned international
audit company based in Switzerland.
One of the most compelling aspects of FlorverdeŽ is its focus
on the health and welfare of the Colombian worker. Florverde's
stringent workplace standards are designed to improve the lives
of Colombian workers by providing social programs that support
workers and their families, fostering a system that facilitates
personal and professional growth and opportunity, and by creating
and maintaining a safe work environment.
Environmental standards and care and handling measures defined
by FlorverdeŽ represent safe, sustainable floriculture and yield
an abundant supply of beautiful flowers that are available throughout
the year. FlorverdeŽ certified farms operate consistently with
U.S. regulations for the application and use of agricultural chemicals.
Workers are educated and trained in the safe use of these chemicals
and provided safety equipment appropriate to the job task — ranging
from protective clothing and gloves, to equipment that is ergonomically
beneficial, to showers on site. In addition to training programs,
FlorverdeŽ farms also implement risk analysis, emergency plans
and oversight committees comprised of both management and workers
to protect employees from chemical exposure and work-related injuries.
FlorverdeŽ also encourages overall improvement in the Colombian
floriculture industry by offering farms not yet involved with
FlorverdeŽ the opportunity to participate and work toward certification.
Through ongoing communication, Florverde® works with farms to
diagnose specific needs and then implement a plan to meet those
needs — whether through capital improvement or specific social
programs — and achieve certification.
Americans typically spend $20 billion per year on flowers and
plants. With more than 50 types of flowers grown in Colombia,
it is the largest supplier of fresh cut flowers to the United
States. To learn more about FlorverdeŽ, visit: www.florverde.org
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