Imported roses and other cut flowers from countries outside the European Union may contain residues of crop protection products, the NVWA reports (link in Dutch). Anyone who reads further will see that there is no increased health risk for consumers. The advisory report by the Office for Risk Assessment & Research (BuRO), an independent advisory body within the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), was published yesterday.
To assess the health and environmental risks, BuRO purchased roses at various locations in the Netherlands during the winter of 2023–24 and the summer of 2024, totaling 177 samples, and had them analyzed. The results were used for a risk assessment. Based on this, BuRO concludes that there may be a health risk for people who come into occupational contact with imported roses. This is particularly the case if workers do not use personal protective equipment.
"A lot is already going well"
Aart Buizer of Fresco Flowers initially thought it was "the usual PR" in the run-up to Valentine's Day, but finds it troubling that it comes from the Dutch government. "It's unfortunate that in such an article all initiatives are lumped together; that strangles the entire sector. It's a study from a few years ago, based on 117 samples, while millions of roses are traded. And especially in recent years, there has been extremely hard work to improve things. Last year, for example, the list of crop protection products permitted in Kenya was aligned with the European list, just to name one positive example. By far the majority of farms in Kenya are FSI certified. Taking a critical look at what we do is important, and we want to do better every day. But a great deal is already going well."
"Here they come again"
Rob Brussee of Van der Deijl Roses also often sees such reports appearing around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. "Here they come again. But what is it based on? Many years ago, extremely strict rules were introduced from abroad and from Europe. There are blacklists up to ten pages long of substances that may not be used, along with alternatives. But it seems like a gramophone record that just keeps playing to the point of annoyance—the same refrain every year."
According to Rob, the entire sector has been aware for years of what needs to be done and has long since acted on it. He also sees that the sector is still continuously working on improvements throughout the entire chain. "There are undoubtedly growers who do not try to comply with the strict requirements, but that is a small minority that is not even allowed to import into the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe. Huge steps have already been taken, and there is never any mention of all the good things rose growers do. The hospitals they build, the pensions they arrange properly, and the schools that the children of employees can attend. I think the sector absolutely does not recognize itself in the NVWA's report."
Only importing from growers with the right certifications
According to Brent Kaandorp of Parfum Flower Company, such reports present an incorrect picture. "There are very strict regulations regarding pesticides, and we are only allowed to import from growers with the proper certifications," Brent says. He emphasizes that flowers are a product that brings pleasure, joy and memories, and that the flowers in their supply chain are safe.
Negative coverage can be harmful to florists, Brent says. "Florists know what they're doing, but if consumers drop out because of this kind of news without asking questions, that's difficult to repair. You can explain things to people who do ask questions, but those who stay away can no longer be reached."
In response to this article, FloralDaily asked the NVWA whether it was deliberately published shortly before Valentine's Day, to which they indicated that this was not the case. The publication followed shortly after the completion of BuRO's research.
