Flowers can say a lot. They can be given to say 'I love you,' to say 'sorry,' to wish condolence and to say a great big 'thank you.' Although simple, they are greatly appreciated. Most women don't receive flowers too often, so when they get a bountiful bouquet of colour delivered to the front door, they feel rather special.
If you want to make someone feel even more precious and show an extra level of appreciation to all that they have done for you and how much you love them, then choose to give Fairtrade flowers instead.
Fairtrade was set up back in 1992 to give famers in the developing world a level field to play on in terms of world trade. Back then, many producers were given a pretty rough deal. Many developed countries throughout the world imposed high tariffs on imports to protect domestic famers, they however exported goods overseas at a profit without tariffs. Furthermore, prices paid to farmers in the developing world were well below the market average.
This kind of trade regime impacted on local communities and subsidiary industries. Labour had to remain cheap in a market like this. There were big profits being made, but the people doing all the hard work certainly were not making any.
The Fairtrade Foundation had other ideas. To become a Fairtrade industry, companies in the developed world must pay sustainable, above market prices, all the times. The Fairtrade Organisations also keeps a close eye on working conditions and pay and facilitates deals between farmers and the developed world in order to ensure both parties agree on and uphold fair conditions.
Fairtrade does more than this though. To qualify for Fairtrade status, a company must meet certain social, economic and environmental standards too. It does this through promoting projects that will benefit the entire community supporting the Fairtrade product. The Fairtrade Premium is extra money paid on top of the minimum price which must be invested in community development projects.
There are now numerous community products across the developing world that are directly improving the lives of the world's poorest people. Money is used to provide secondary education to poor children, medicines are provided through the new local dispensaries and bore holes are drilled providing fresh water for all.
Fairtrade flowers have been available in the UK since 2004. Annual sales that year were just ?4.3 million. This had grown to ?33.4 million by 2008 and they are now available online, in supermarkets and high-street florists.
Maricruz Tennill is a horticulturaist and freelance writer. THey recommend Interflora for Flowers Leeds.
