January 29, 2026
The Dutch floriculture sector has responded to a recent report by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), published on 21 January 2026 by its Risk Assessment & Research Bureau (BuRO). The report examines the presence of crop protection products on roses imported from countries outside the European Union.
According to Royal FloraHolland, the sector takes the findings and recommendations of the report seriously and is keen to engage in further discussions with the NVWA. “The protection and health of employees and consumers are of paramount importance to us,” the organization stated. “That is why we attach great value to transparency, measurability, and safety throughout the entire supply chain.”
Focus on Transparency and Certification
For several years, the international floriculture sector has been working toward more sustainable and transparent production methods. A key framework in this effort is the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) Basket of Standards, an internationally recognized benchmark that incorporates environmental, social, and safety standards for flower and plant production worldwide.
Under these standards, the core principle remains consistent across regions: flowers and plants must be cultivated in a way that is safe for people, animals, and the environment. Certification schemes aligned with FSI requirements are now widely adopted in both European and non-European production countries.
Employee and Consumer Health
Health and safety have long been regulated within the floriculture sector, both in the Netherlands and internationally. Employees who work intensively with flowers are required to wear protective clothing. The use of protective gloves is recommended primarily in situations involving prolonged and daily contact, such as handling flowers for approximately eight hours per day.
For consumers, the sector emphasizes that there is no cause for concern. Studies conducted in the past, as well as the recent NVWA report, indicate that normal consumer use of flowers does not pose an increased health risk. Bringing a bouquet of flowers into the home is considered safe.
Differences in Crop Protection Practices
Authorization systems for crop protection products vary between regions such as Europe, Africa, and South America due to differences in legislation, climate, and pest pressure. While the regulatory frameworks differ, the underlying requirement remains the same: crop protection products must be effective and safe for humans, animals, and the environment.
In regions such as Africa, South America, and Southern Europe, growers face different diseases and pests than those found in the Netherlands. As a result, the selection of active substances may vary depending on local conditions and cultivation systems.
Integrated Pest Management as a Standard
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a mandatory component of certification schemes in the floriculture sector. IPM follows a structured approach consisting of prevention, monitoring, control, and evaluation. Chemical crop protection products are only used in the third step and only after biological and mechanical control methods have been considered.
This strategy has contributed to a significant reduction in the use of crop protection products worldwide. Since 2015, the global use of the most environmentally harmful chemical products in floriculture has decreased by 78%. Over the same period, the use of crop protection products per hectare in the ornamental plant sector has fallen by 35%.
In the Netherlands, Dutch pot plant growers have reduced the use of the most harmful products by 96%, while cut flower growers have achieved an 88% reduction.
Progress Beyond Europe
Similar reductions are being reported in major flower-producing countries outside Europe. In Ecuador, the use of crop protection products has declined by 64% since 2016. Kenyan growers have reduced their use of the most environmentally harmful products by 58% since 2019, while Ethiopian growers report a 56% reduction over the same period.
Certification aligned with FSI standards is now widespread, covering 77% of production in the EU, 83% in Kenya, and 89% in Ethiopia.
In addition, the sector is seeing a growing trend toward closed supply chains, where flowers are tested at the request of customers before reaching retail outlets.
For more information, visit Royal FloraHolland at
www.royalfloraholland.com