Cut flower growers massively break rules: using excessive or banned pesticides

The Shocking Reality: Cut Flower Growers Violating Pesticide Regulations on a Massive Scale

When you purchase a beautiful bouquet of roses, chrysanthemums, or gerberas, you rarely consider what invisible chemicals may be lurking on those perfect petals. Every year during the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, the story of pesticide-intensive practices in the flower industry is told. The hazards of pesticides used in flower production and their resulting residues are well-documented. Yet recent investigations across Europe reveal a troubling pattern: cut flower growers are systematically breaking pesticide rules, putting workers, florists, and even consumers at risk.

Dutch Inspections Reveal Widespread Violations

The NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) identified violations at 43 companies, including seven instances of prohibited pesticide use. The NVWA issued 20 warnings and 41 reports of findings, which can lead to fines or other measures.

Inspectors found breaches of the law at 43 companies growing chrysanthemums, freesias, hydrangeas and roses. In particular, growers were using excessively high doses of pesticides too frequently, the NVWA said.

Banned substances detected included azinphos-ethyl, chlorpyrifos, spirodiclofen, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and metoxuron. The NVWA warned that improper use of pesticides can pose risks to humans, animals, and the environment.

The findings have sparked frustration in the Dutch Parliament. Party for the Animals MP Leonie Kostić said the sector “harms our health and the environment.” GroenLinks-PvdA MP Paul Bromet called the results “shocking,” while CDA MP Pieter Zwinkels described them as “unacceptable.”

A Toxic Cocktail: What’s Really on Your Flowers

A total of 71 different active substances were found in the 13 bouquets examined, of which 28 (39%) are banned in the EU. They found that, on average, each bouquet contained 25 toxic substances.

In testing by French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir, which bought 15 bouquets of flowers, each one contained between seven and up to 46 different pesticide residues, of which an average of almost 12 were deemed hazardous because they are possibly carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting. Residues of pesticides banned in the EU were found in two-thirds of the bouquets.

Research has identified the use of 201 compounds in flower production through interviews and analytical measurements. Among them, 93 are banned by the European Union (EU), although 46.3% of these compounds have been identified in samples from European countries.

The Regulatory Gap: No Limits on Flower Pesticides

Unlike pesticides applied to foods, pesticide residues on flowers are not limited. As a result, flowers may have high residues of several pesticides, including those banned for most uses.

There are no EU laws limiting pesticides on cut flowers, 80 per cent of which are imported from countries still permitting the use of highly toxic substances. While the EU has laws restricting pesticides on fruits and vegetables, no such legislation exists for flowers.

Unlike food, there is “no upper limit” on the residue levels from pesticides sprayed onto cut flowers in the UK, EU or US. According to the British Florist Association, the UK imports around 85% of its flowers, often from countries like Ethiopia and Ecuador where pesticide regulations are limited.

Health Dangers: From Farm Workers to Florists

Tests on imported roses and other cut flowers sold in the Netherlands have shown pesticide residues that can pose health risks to professionals such as florists, auction workers, and importers—even when protective clothing is worn. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) said exposure to pesticides can cause a range of health effects depending on the substance, exposure level, and duration, including skin allergies, immune system or nervous system effects, and certain cancers.

Flowers are frequently treated with pesticides and, as a result, florists handling daily a large number of flowers can be exposed to pesticide residues. A study was conducted among twenty volunteer florists in Belgium in order to assess their potential dermal exposure. A total of 111 active substances (mainly insecticides and fungicides) were detected, with an average of 37 active substances per sample.

A total of 70 residues were detected in the urine of the florists in the study, demonstrating that florists are exposed daily to pesticides that could potentially affect their health.

Tragic Consequences: A Child’s Death Linked to Pesticides

Emmy Marivain who died from cancer at 11-years-old in March 2022 is the first child whose death has been recognized by the French government’s Pesticide Victims Compensation Fund (FIVP). She is the daughter of a florist. The FIVP admitted to “the causal link between [Emmy’s] pathology and her exposure to pesticides during the prenatal period.”

The issue of pesticides on flowers hit the headlines in France after a young girl died of a leukaemia linked to her mother’s exposure to the chemicals, as she worked as a florist during her pregnancy. French consumer group UFC Que Choisir has also raised concerns about pesticide contamination of cut flowers, warning of dangers for those handling the flowers.

Imported Flowers: A Global Problem

A new report from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) warns that roses and cut flowers imported from outside the EU often contain high levels of pesticide residues, posing significant health risks to florists. Since these treatments are not currently overseen by the NVWA, harmful residues can make their way into the Netherlands through airports and other entry points. While consumers are generally safe, small children face potential poisoning if they ingest petals.

Workers in greenhouses spray, spray, and spray again. Studies have documented the use of over 127 different pesticides in Colombian floriculture operations. In Ethiopia, 67% of flower workers reported at least one respiratory health issue, and 81% experienced skin problems after joining the industry.

The Royal FloraHolland group based in the Netherlands sells some nine billion flowers per year for an annual turnover of around €5.2 billion. Most of their produce is exported, mainly to Germany, Britain and France. Dutch companies also import some three billion stems annually from Africa, notably Ethiopia and Kenya.

Industry Response and Path Forward

Control with chemical crop protection products only comes in the third step of Integrated Pest Management, with the order being first biological, then mechanical, and only lastly chemical. As a result of this approach, the use of crop protection products in the floriculture sector has declined significantly internationally in recent years.

Together with the agriculture ministry, the Dutch VBW florists’ association urged its members to use gloves and always wash their hands after cleaning flowers. And from next year, Royal FloraHolland will require its producers to show a durability certificate, a label that will enable authorities to check the amount of pesticides used.

The NVWA said it is considering tougher sanctions for repeat offenders and exploring more public disclosure of inspection results. Approximately 25 inspectors oversee pesticide use in the sector. “Clearly, we need to do more to safeguard the health and safety of growers, florists, and consumers,” stated D66 MP Anne-Marijke Podt.

Key Takeaways and Consumer Guidance

• USDA’s Organic Integrity Database contains 1,884 listings of certified organic flower growers in the U.S. and more abroad, offering safer alternatives for conscious consumers.
• Pesticides, and even worse, banned pesticides, are present in conventional flower bunches. There are no legal limitations, since there is no standard for pesticides in imported flowers.
• Wear gloves! This is the simplest and most effective way to reduce pesticide exposure for those working with flowers.
• Authorities are now advising that imported flower waste be disposed of in general trash rather than compost heaps to mitigate environmental and public health hazards.

As the evidence mounts, one thing becomes clear: the beautiful bouquets adorning our homes and celebrations come with a hidden cost. Until comprehensive international regulations are established for pesticide residues on cut flowers, consumers and industry professionals must remain vigilant, demand transparency, and consider supporting organic and locally grown alternatives that prioritize both human health and environmental sustainability.