Decorum recently joined the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). At the office of Decorum at the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk, chairman of the growers association John Grootscholten and director of FSI Jeroen Oudheusden signed the agreement.
John Grootscholten and Jeroen Oudheusden sign the agreement
Decorum is the first growers association to join the initiative. The FSI membership consists of almost 50 organizations, including retailers, breeders, exporters, a few suppliers and NGOs. These parties joined forces in 2013 to focus on increasing sustainability in the ornamental plant sector. The goal is that 90 percent of products must be 'responsibly produced and traded' by 2020.
FSI is therefore not a certificate, explains Jeroen, but an international network of parties working together on sustainability. This is done through projects and 'benchmarking', through which companies strengthen their activities in the area of sustainability. For Decorum, John adds, participation is an opportunity and a great way for growers to show initiative. "On top of that, consumers are demanding a clean and responsibly produced product. Together you will get further, and with our participation in FSI we can learn from each other."
Floriculture Sustainability Initiative
FSI works to make the sector more sustainable and to create a level playing field for growers, wholesalers and retailers. The idea is to present the initiative across the entire sector and to seek cooperation with other chain parties and authorities. For more information, see www.fsi2020.com.
New members
Decorum itself is growing as well, with two new members that were recently added. At the beginning of this year, iris grower Veco from Maasdijk joined and more recently Montana lisianthus. Last week, the growers association organized the Summer Fair, a trade show that lasted only one day in recent years and was organized at Arcadia. This year, in conjunction with the FlowerTrials and participation in the WHC, it was held there throughout the week. For more information about Decorum click here.