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Fair Trade & Plants

Fair Trade issues involving plants often relate to the export of cut flowers, which is a major industry in countries like Ecuador and Colombia. But Fair Trade can also involve plant commodities such as coffee, cocoa and bananas. Farm and plantation workers are often not fairly compensated for their labor or are forced to work in harsh conditions. Additionally, hazardous pesticides may be used in the production of flowers and plants. Fair Trade organizations are working to promote sustainability in agriculture and alleviate poverty by improving business and agricultural practices for these workers.

Worker Conditions
- Most of the cut-flower workforce consists of women who face gender discrimination and are not legally protected from the sexual harassment they face at work, while children often perform hazard tasks on cocoa farms in West Africa. Workers -- pregnant women included -- are often exposed to pesticides and forced to work under unsafe conditions. They risk losing their jobs if they refuse to work overtime -- up to 80 hours a week in peak seasons -- are paid low wages and can be fired without just cause.
Shade-Grown Products
- Some coffee growers cut down rainforest trees in order to grow their plants in full sun. This practice not only harms already threatened rainforests, but it requires heavy pesticide use and is hard on the soil. Shade-grown plants are planted under the rainforest canopy, which is thinned instead of completely cut down. While not all shade-grown products are fairly traded, nor all Fair Trade products shade grown, shade growing is considered sustainable farming practice.
Fair Trade Farming Goals
- Fair Trade organizations promote the production of commodities by workers that have not been exploited. They work with farm and plantation owners, encouraging them to give employees a living wage and benefits. Fair Trade seeks to improve communities that may be affected by chemicals and pesticides used in plant production by providing incentives for business owners to use better pest management practices. In addition, Fair Trade organizations help agricultural workers organize and educate industry and policymakers about poor labor practices.
Why Buy Fair Trade Flowers and Plants?
- Fair Trade certified flowers or plant commodities such as coffee, cocoa and bananas were produced according to Fair Trade principles. This means that workers received a living wage for their work, or that farmers received a minimum, market-stable price for their commodity. Workers who produce Fair Trade products are not forced to work and are not exploited child laborers, and they work in safe conditions rather than around harmful pesticides or dangerous machinery. Fair Trade producers are assisted in financial and technical matters, and they use sustainable production techniques when possible.

Nature