Flower
Label Certification
and other Organisations |
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The
Flower Label Certification
Programs ensure
that flowers are
grown in a healthy
work environment
where employees
know their rights,
are treated equitably
and where the environment
is not abused. Being
certified also means
that we adhere to
Kenya’s Labor
Laws, International
Codes of Conduct
(ICC) for social
and environmental
practices and also,
the International
Labor Organization
(ILO) codes. Magana
Flowers Kenya Limited
is committed to
fostering the responsible
and safe production
of cut flowers,
the promotion of
a safe working environment
for all its employees,
safeguarding and
protecting the welfare
of workers in accordance
with the Laws of
Kenya and safeguarding
and protecting the
natural environment
while growing flowers. |
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KFC
(Kenya Flower
Council)
In 1996,
independent
flower growers
and exporters
came together
to form
the Kenya
Flower Council
(KFC). According
to KFC documentation,
their main
aim “Is
to ensure
that accepted
international
standards
of environmental
protection
and worker
welfare
are adhered
to and are
fully recognized
in European
markets”. |
In addition,
it states
that, “The
existence
of KFC allows
for flower
growers
of Kenya
to speak
with one
voice and
to ensure
its members’
responsibilities
are recognized
and met
by enforcing
strict adherence
to its rules
and regulations”.
KFC
conducted
its initial
audit of
Magana Flowers
along with
Bureau Veritas
Quality
International
(BVQI).
After auditing
our systems
and practices,
we were
awarded
silver certification.
This level
of achievement
means existence
of Good
Agricultural
Practices
(GAP).
http://www.kenyaflowers.co.ke
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Max
Havelaar Switzerland
The Max Havelaar
Switzerland
(MHCH) mandate
is a fair-trade
criteria for
cut flowers
among other
agricultural
products.
It states
that, “The
aim of their
fair-trade
criteria is
to guarantee
that all cut
flowers sold
with the Fair-trade
Mark of Max
Havelaar Switzerland
have been
produced under
socially and
environmentally
sustainable
conditions. |
The fair-trade
conditions
shall contribute
to improve
the social/economic
situation
of the workers
employed in
the flower
farms by giving
them a fair
and just return
for their
work and good
working and
living conditions.
The flower
farms participating
in MHCH Fairtrade
Scheme promote
their workers’
empowerment
and ensure
that the elected
joint body
can dispose
freely of
the Fairtrade
Premium earned
through the
Fairtrade
sales. They
are committed
to guarantee
an open and
transparent
management
of the Fairtrade
sales for
all parties
involved.”
http://www.maxhavelaar.ch/web/havelaar/mainR2.nsf/WEnFrame
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FLP
(Flower Label
Program) Germany
The FLP mandate
states that,
“The
FLP was developed
by the BGI
to meet the
requirements
of the European
flower campaign
which is sponsored
by a number
of environmental
and human
rights organizations.
The BGI commissioned
a number of
experts to
draft an audit
checklist
for the inspection
of cut-flower
operations
in third countries,dealing
particularly
in aspects
of social
welfare, employment
conditions,
health, safety
and ecology.
This checklist
is based on
the suggestions
of the human
rights organization
FIAN”.
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http://www.flower-label-program.org
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MPS
(Milieu Programma
Sierteelt)
Netherlands
“MPS
is an international
accredited
environmental
standard based
on registration.
The goal of
MPS is that
participating
companies
should reduce
their impact
on the environment
to a minimum.
In 1995 the
Dutch floriculture
sector took
the initiative
to found MPS.
MPS encourages
the environmental
aware cultivation
of flowers,
plants, bulbs,
parental material,
and nursery
stock products
of thousands
of participants
all over the
world. Apart
from growers,
traders and
florists also
take part
in the MPS
program. |
Together their
efforts make
a contribution
to improving
the world
we live in
and to making
essential
gains for
the environment.
MPS does not
only concern
itself with
the environment,
but safety,
health and
conditions
of employment
also play
a role. Those
MPS participants
who meet all
of the social
requirements
may use the
“socially
qualified”
label to make
this known.
http://www.st-mps.nl/asp/aboutmps.asp?sitid=17
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EUREP-GAP
EurepGAP started
in 1997 as
an initiative
of retailers
belonging
to the Euro-Retailer
Produce Working
Group (EUREP).
It has subsequently
evolved into
an equal partnership
of agricultural
producers
and their
retail customers.
Our Mission
is to develop
widely accepted
standards
and procedures
for the global
certification
of Good Agricultural
Practices
(GAP). |
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FPEAK
(Fresh Produce
Exporters
Association
of Kenya)
According
to the FPEAK’s
Code of Practice,
“The
Fresh Produce
Exporters
Association
of Kenya is
for the use
by Association’s
members in
order to promote
and ensure
implementation
of sound production
and marketing
practices
of fresh produce
for the export
market. |
The
requirements
in the international
market for
fresh products
(fruits, vegetables,
flowers) are
increasing
and more demanding
in relation
to employment
of labor,
use of pesticides,
origin and
traceability
of products
and maintenance
of the environment.
In recognition
of the need
to meet these
standards
of product
quality and
safety, FPEAK
launched the
Code of Practice
in 1996 as
a certification
measure for
producers
and exporters
to achieve”.
http://www.fpeak.org
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