In order to reduce the use of crop protection agents in the floriculture chain, it is very important that growers throughout the chain communicate with each other about the agents used, from cutting to end product. This is evident from the Chain Transparency Project that was carried out by MPS together with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and members of the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). Tomorrow (28 January 2021) MPS will launch the webpage on which the results of this project can be found.
Flowers and plants are produced and sold all over the world. The products go through an international supply chain, starting from cutting to the stage where the roots grow and finally to the grower who produces the final product. Crop protection agents are used throughout this global supply chain and growers are not always fully aware of which product has been used previously in the chain. The Chain Transparency Project aimed to create awareness about this.
Decrease in environmental impact
During the Chain Transparency Project 2.0, seven products from Floricultura, Anthura, VD Salm and Dümmen Orange were followed between 2017 and 2019. The communication about the use of crop protection agents between the links in the floriculture chain resulted in transparency and awareness about the products used throughout the floriculture chain. As a result, the links in the chain coordinated substance use.
This resulted in significantly fewer resources (45 percent), which reduced the environmental impact. Crop protections agents with a high potential risk for the environment were even used 64 percent less. The average reduction in the use of crop protection agents resulted in a decrease in the environmental impact of 47 percent per hectare on which the products were used.
View all results of the Chain Transparency Project here.
About the participants
The supporters of this research, Floricultura, Anthura, VD Salm, Dümmen Orange and Vertify have helped with the operational implementation and the thinking.
Dutch Flower Group, Koppert Biologicals, Tuinbranche Nederland, Flower Trade Consult, Waterdrinker, Royal Lemkes, Royal FloraHolland, Greenyard and Van Dijk Flora have reviewed the results twice a year and provided their input and feedback. In addition, this reference group has financially supported the project.
The research was an initiative of MPS, FSI and the IDH. They thank the supporters, the reference group and everyone else involved for their participation and support of the project.
