Fair Flowers & Fair Plants -

Ethical Flowers
Fair Flowers is working towards at better living conditions, from environmental and social point of view.As a consumer of fair trade goods this means you can rest easy knowing you are helping to improve the income of regular people - usually independent farmers as opposed to putting more money in the pockets of big corporations.The primary reason people choose to buy fair trade goods such as fair trade coffee or in this case fair trade flowers is because they feel an ethical obligation not to benefit from the exploitation of other human beings or because they don't wish to be a part of the consumer process that is built on the backs of exploited workers in other less well off countries.

Most of the cut flowers sold in Europe are actually grown in countries around the equator, e.g. in Kenya, Uganda, Colombia, Ecuador. This is due to the fact that equatorial regions have more favorable climatic conditions for flowers as compared to Europe. Fertile soil, mild winters and 12 hours of daylight ensure beautiful, healthy flowers.
Look for the Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP) label when buying flowers and plants. Flowers and plants bearing this sustainability label come from growers who have set up their production processes in such a way that they fulfil high requirements concerning the environment and social aspects.

Many of the flowers in the UK today are certified fair trade flowers.This means that the flower plantation owners and farm workers in less developed countries such as those in Africa get a fair deal from the flower industry as a whole. Fair trade flowers are about investing in communities to provide a sustainable future as well as providing fantastic products to local florists all over the UK. If you want to ensure the flowers you're ordering are fair trade, then look for the international fair trade certified logo in the window of your local florist and ask them to show you their fair trade selection of flowers.

Please find below some of the most important companies that are associated with ethical flowers:

http://www.fairflowersfairplants.com
Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP) is a young but established initiative to stimulate the production and trade of flowers and plants cultivated in a sustainable manner: flowers and plants cultivated in a way that respects people and the environment. These products are now presented to consumers under the label FFP. Sustainably cultivated products are important for our living environment, since their cultivation puts as low a burden as possible on the environment, and good working conditions within the enterprises are guaranteed.

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk
Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers and workers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system. If fair access to markets under better trade conditions would help them to overcome barriers to development, they can join Fair trade

http://www.ethical-junction.org
Ethical Junction is a vibrant community of responsible organisations who care about doing better for people and the planet.

http://www.ethicalconsumer.org
The Ethical Consumer Research Association Ltd (ECRA) is the UK's leading alternative consumer organisation.We have been uncovering the truth behind the brand names, and supporting the growth of the ethical market, since 1987.

ECRA is a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative, dedicated to the promotion of universal human rights, environmental sustainability and animal welfare.

We produce independent research into the social and environmental records of companies, and to inform the development of ethical consumerism.

Our funding comes entirely from our readers' subscriptions, adverts from ethically vetted companies and consultancy work for campaign groups and ethical organisations.

Ethical Suppliers:

The Real Flower Company
UK grown roses and herbs, or from their own fairly traded farm in Kenya when out-of-season.

Ravine Roses
Ravine Roses is a comparatively small farm with a permanent workforce of 900, producing around 66 million rose stems a year. Nonetheless it is the only major employer near the small town of Eldama Ravine and, as such, has a big impact on an area with high youth unemployment and where the local population are mostly subsistence farmers, growing maize and rearing cattle and goats.

Oserian Flower Farm
Oserian Development Company is located on the shores of Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley. Its name comes from a Maasai word meaning ‘place of peace'. Of the 6,000 workers employed at Oserian, 90% are permanent and around one third are female. The farm produces and exports just under 400 million stems a year, mainly roses and carnations, on a production area of 245 hectares. The company provides either free housing or a housing allowance for its workers, as well as healthcare facilities, primary schools and crèches, social and sporting activities.

Ethical Retailers:

Drake Algar Flowers
Drake Algar flowers delivery a nationwide floral service dedicated to delivering beautiful fresh flowers and arrangements for every occasion with same day delivery London and next day UK.www.drakealgar.com

http://www.fairflowersfairplants.com/43/section.aspx/ViewProfile/5898

Flowers Direct
Flowers Direct provide the very best in quality, service and value. As a national network of florists, we provide quality flowers and gifts locally, nationally and abroad.

http://www.fairflowersfairplants.com/43/section.aspx/ViewProfile/5420

Fair Trade retailers of flowers also include well known companies such as Asda, Interflora, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, & Next.