La Flor de Ecuador (The Flower of Ecuador)

Created by Expoflores, the Association of Producers and Exporters of Flowers in Ecuador, La Flor de Ecuador is a continuous improvement program for the flower farms in Ecuador. Its objective is to conserve the environment, develop and respect the social welfare and personal growth of farm employees, keep proper documentation/files for profitable business management, support and promote anti-drug control, and reduce costs through rational pesticide/chemical usage while maintaining a competitive environment for Ecuadorian flower farms.

Although La Flor de Ecuador does not grant an environmental label, this program does, through strict guidelines, prepare farms for certification programs such as Germany’s Flower Label Program, etc.
 
What are the Requirements for La Flor de Ecuador?
La Flor de Ecuador’s objective is to conserve the environment, develop and respect the social welfare and personal growth of farm employees, keep proper documentation/files for profitable business management, support and promote anti-drug control, and reduce costs through rational pesticide/chemical usage while maintaining a competitive environment for Ecuadorian flower farms.

Expoflores’ goal is to have all companies that are members of the association meet the guidelines of La Flor de Ecuador so that they are prepared to later reach any certification (label) program requirements.
 
 
Worker Health/Treatment/Social Issues
La Flora de Ecuador’s guidelines help farms manage and maintain the labor, health and training of their employees. La Flor de Ecuador worker health/treatment/social issue facts:
* Labor – La Flora de Ecuador farms hire staff in keeping within the legal framework of the Ecuadorian Labor Code, which includes: the right to form trade unions, the right to organize and bargain collectively, prohibition of forced labor, prohibition of child labor (no less than 14 years of age, except in special circumstances), acceptable working conditions, guaranteed minimum wage/benefits, etc.
* Health – Full medical coverage and health care services are provided for farm workers.
* Training – Continuous training and educational programs are provided for workers not only on a professional level, but on a personal level as well.
 
 
Pesticide/Chemical Usage
La Flor de Ecuador strives to improve the quality of the environment through safe environmental management system practices, especially when dealing with chemicals/pesticides. La Flora de Ecuador pesticide/chemical usage facts:
* Management of soil and fertilization – A fertilizer monitoring program is utilized for testing the foliage and soil in order to avoid excessive fertilization and, therefore, the additional costs farms incur for fertilizers.
* Management of pesticides/chemicals – Environmentally friendly pesticides and chemicals (based on international standards) are only handled by trained employees (wearing full body protection) and are applied based on manufacturer’s guidelines. This guarantees the life of the flowers (and health of the workers), while minimizing the impact on the environment and decreasing the pesticide/chemical costs for the farm. Note: Women are not allowed to handle any pesticides/chemicals.
* Management of pests and diseases – By utilizing a systematic set of measures to manage pests and diseases (i.e. alternative biological control methods), farms can control and reduce their pest/disease incidence while decreasing the use of pesticides/chemicals, considerably reducing production costs.
 
 
Environmental Conservation
La Flor de Ecuador strives to reduce and prevent adverse effects on the environment. La Flor de Ecuador environmental conservation facts:
* Management of water and irrigation – Farms strive to ration and maintain the surrounding ground/surface water based on the resources available, crop demand and the quality required by the international market.
* Management of solid and liquid waste – A solid/liquid waste management program is utilized based on activities such as separation at the source, recovery, transformation and recycling (i.e. compost). Such activities generate economic and social benefits, and reduce the impact on both humans and the environment.
* Landscaping – By adhering to environmentally friendly production practices, farms promote a positive impact on the landscape and natural surroundings.
 
 
For more information on La Flora de Ecuador, contact:
Expoflores
Avs. Amazonas y Republica
Edit. Las Camaras, 12 floor
Quito, Ecuador
Phone: +593 945 2690
E-mail: expoflo1@expoflores.com.ec