“ Our total membership exemplify about 80 % of the world floriculture trade , so we have a good representation of the international market of mown flowers and potted plant . In our industry , it is of import to have a collective voice that gives profile to important topics , such as market access code and sustainability , ” explain Sylvie Mamias , Secretary General of Union Fleurs . The outside floriculture trade affiliation is base in Brussels , as one of its primal roles is to represent the common interests of its member towards the EU institutions . “ The impact of the offset of the pandemic is a good example of our body of work . When such challenge arise , we are able-bodied to get the attention of governments and policymakers to make them aware of the specificities of this industry and epithelial duct backing . ”
Sylvie Mamias at the IFTF 2021Market accessMamias explain that one of the top priorities for the connection is to promote unlined markets and trade and off patronage roadblock along the supply chemical chain . “ We aim to facilitate this from yield to consumption , with all the steps in between . Therefore , anything that can bear upon the flow of merchandise along the mountain chain is something that we try out to fetch attention to towards people with influence . ” Over the preceding 60 age , Union Fleurs has successfully advocated the interests of the floricultural trade on these topic and charm policy - fashioning , resulting in many achievements that nowadays benefit the floricultural trade in their day-after-day operation , such as phytosanitary requirements , responsibility - complimentary tariffs , and market admission condition . Concerning market admission , there have been a issue of crucial developments over the years . “ Since last year , there has been grow pressure on logistics , as a result of the want of transportation . However , there are also more morphological and longer - terminus developments , such as the sustainability of exile . How can we ensure that flower can go on get hold of markets , but in a more sustainable way ? Diversifying means of transportation and utilizing more sea freightage , for example , would importantly bring down carbon copy emission . bear on these longer - terminal figure issues , we as an association can have more of an influence , and we need to cerebrate together to raise solutions that benefit everyone along the supplying chain . ”A growing protectionist agendaAccording to Mamias , the global trade wind of flowers has traditionally go on complimentary trade . However , she explicate that there is a growing agenda for protectionist policies and local sourcing . “ Such a development would result in a reduction of the global trade and would ultimately impact the smooth operation of the supply mountain chain , the sourcing offer , and finally the choice of products for final consumer all year - round . With highly perishable products such as peak and plant , it is essential to ensure optimum operating status and a regulatory environment that facilitates the movement of product . Therefore , we are very vocal in fight back the interests of our appendage in these area . We need to insure that borders will remain open and that the external trade will stay in optimal conditions to support the continued maturation of the floriculture diligence . ”
likewise , Brexit has been a recent topic of high relevancy for the tie-up . “ Brexit has created new barriers to hit the UK market place , which has created a bit of challenges for caller that run on that market . The flora passport and phytosanitary credentials that are now necessary , for example , can make their export more expensive and challenging . Of course , we do not want to fight against the regularization regarding pests , as the patronage needs to ensure that they are sourcing and supplying secure merchandise that are gratuitous of pests , but the necessity for additional support need to be optimized to define red-faced - tape measure and extra costs on operators . Therefore , we have been supporting the development of electronic system of rules at the international level to be used for phytosanitary certification for many years . This will make much more efficiency for companies . ”A crossroad“As an international association , we have a corporate voice with which we can attain much more than a unmarried ship’s company or state could . It is ultimately for the benefit of the whole diligence that we are knead together , ” says Mamias , and the association ’s oeuvre is not done yet any meter soon . “ If we seem out front , the industry is at a bit of a crossroad . On the one hand , there is a grow interest of consumer in our product , creating expectant opportunities . Yet at the same time , there is a number of challenges on the direction , specially in the sustainability area . As these are issues that the industriousness involve to address , we will continue our efforts together with our rank and with our poke out net in the international floriculture industry . To move forward , the diligence needs to anticipate and recognize its collective challenge and work on them together to embrace changes and secure new opportunities . If we can stimulate together a creditworthy , sustainable , and confirming industry , we can be assured of a time to come of growth that will benefit everyone . ”For more information : Union FleursSylvie Mamias[email protected]www.unionfleurs.org
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