Floriculture Industry: Thorns without Borders

On Valentine's Day, anniversaries, and throughout the year, lovers buy the objects of their affection cut flowers, many of which come from the developing world and are grown under unhealthy conditions involving multiple labor rights violations. Most buyers are unaware that in gifting their lovers with these aesthetically-beautiful symbols, they are supporting industries which adversely impact global health, through the utilization of forced labor (which sometimes involves children), human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and adverse health consequences (via over-exposure to toxic pesticides). This session reviews labor rights violations and the health, environmental, and human rights consequences associated with the production of cut flowers. Recommendations to improve the safety of production standards are offered. National and international movements and agreements designed to curb abuses (including US involvement in such agreements) will be reviewed, and an agenda for education, activism and policy change developed.