Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 11.1
Summary of the major certification programs in floriculture. (Adapted from
White
2012
)
Label/
certification
Web site
Comments
MPS-ABC
www.my-mps.com/
The original floriculture/greenhouse certifica-
tion program. Widely established in many
countries
GlobalGAP
www.globalgap.org/
A non-governmental organization that sets
voluntary standards for the certification
of agricultural products around the globe.
Started in 1997 as EUREPGAP
Fair Flowers/Fair
Plants
http://www.fairflowersfair-
plants.com/
Initially within MPS. Funded through the Dutch
auction system. Requires the equivalent of
MPS-A plus adherence to 10 social areas
including the right to collective bargain-
ing with the employer, right to a living
wage, work guarantees, See (http://www.
fairflowersfairplants.com/en/consumers/
certification-requirements.aspx)
Fair Trade
http://www.fairtradeusa.org/ Fair trade labels are specifically for developing
countries
Florverde
Sustainable
Flowers
http://www.florverde.org/
Widely used by Colombian flower growers and
includes environmental and social, worker
and family elements
Veriflora
http://www.veriflora.com/
Certification is by Scientific Certification Sys-
tems and is based on a number of horticul-
tural, logistical and human and worker rights
criteria
Flower Label
Program
http://www.fairflowers.de/ A limited program (as of 2011 in 6 countries)
that promotes “socially and environmentally
responsible flower, fern, plant and foliage
cultivation”
Food Alliance
A very new label (first used for greenhouse
and nursery certification in 2012), mainly
USA based, with more than 330 certified
organizations managing 5.5 million acres of
production
USDA Organic
USDA Organic certification only refers to meth-
ods of production and is not an endorsement
or certification of “sustainability”
all have the common goal of affirming that labelled products meet the minimum
standards as defined for each program. The existence of multiple standards within
the industry has been confusing for growers and industry members who have ques-
tioned the ultimate importance (economic, environmental, societal) of certification.
Anecdotal evidence from growers suggests that having a range of MPS opinions
consider “it's the right thing to do” to “whether I like it or not, my large customers
are or will soon demand it”. Evidence from greenhouse producers in The Nether-
lands suggests a 23 % reduction in the use of “crop protection agents”, and 25 %
decrease in energy use between 1995 and 2005 (Hering
2012
). It is unclear to what
