ISHS Acta Horticulturae 630: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Nursery Crops; Development, Evaluation, Production and Use
SUSTAINABLE TRADE IN ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE |
| Author: | B. Jørgensen |
| Keywords: | Fair trade, benefit sharing, new ornamental plants |
| Abstract:
A large proportion of ornamental potted plants produced in developed countries are based on import of plant material from less developed countries, and most "potted plant species" originate in less developed countries. There are, however, an increasing awareness and concern about the intellectual property rights on native plant species and about economic sustainability at the grower and, particularly, at consumer level. Sustainable or "fair trade" is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is a trading partnership which aims at sustainable development for disadvantaged producers. Fair trade is well established within a range of edible horticultural products (coffee, tea and cocoa) and has been adapted to a range of other products but, as yet, not to ornamental horticultural products. It is obvious that fair trade, if adapted to ornamental horticulture, will not only create a whole new product line but may also create a new niche in the global potted plant market. Ornamental horticulture is an industry with great job opportunities and with a great potential for generating much needed export income. It is, however, difficult for small and medium sized businesses in developing countries to enter the export market for horticultural products, especially because the demands to the transport chain are high for horticultural products. It is evident that fair trade of ornamental plants will be a viable and sustainable business on a longer term, but this will require training and education and increased research into the practical aspects of plant export and reestablishment. | |
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