Floriculture wants to become ‘greener’

In floriculture, 83 percent of companies are aware of the environmental impact of the plant protection products they use, according to a recent trend report by Royal Flora Holland. According to the report, a large proportion of them would like to make greater use of “green” alternatives. However, more than half of those surveyed (53 per cent) have problems making plant protection more sustainable: according to the trend report, they would like to see greater availability of alternatives and clear and uniform laws and regulations in all countries.

Fifty-two per cent of respondents would like to increase the use of biological agents, and just as many would like to strengthen the resistance of plants in order to make plant protection more sustainable on their farms. Four out of ten see opportunities in resistant varieties and hygiene.

The trend report on floriculture also shows that almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of respondents have a positive or neutral attitude towards sustainability in the industry. And that many companies are already working on it: 85 per cent of producers have now taken measures to operate more sustainably.

Accordingly, concerns about sustainability in the industry have also decreased, from 30 per cent in the first trend report to 17 per cent now. The trend report shows that plant protection remains the biggest challenge for producers. Other concerns include increasing laws and regulations (61 per cent) as well as staff shortages and labour costs (46 per cent).

However, plant protection is only one component of making the industry more sustainable. The trend report emphasises that issues such as energy, working conditions, packaging and water must also be addressed intelligently. A growing proportion of producers and buyers (80 per cent compared to 75 per cent previously) say that they consider collaboration and cooperation in this regard to be (very) important. In addition, 84 per cent (73 per cent in the first trend report) of producers believe that legal sustainability requirements should be uniform across all countries.