Our Industry Is Under Fire. Knowledge Is Power.
It is time to empower ourselves and start confidently standing our ground.
There has been a growing amount of criticism in the floral industry recently, particularly around imported roses and their environmental impact. Social media has amplified these conversations, often presenting a very one-sided view. The situation escalated further in February 2026 when the Church of England’s General Synod backed a motion aimed at improving sustainability. The focus was on phasing out single-use floral foam and encouraging the use of local, seasonal, and biodegradable alternatives.
This was not an outright ban, but rather guidance designed to influence change over time through education. However, as the story spread, it was widely interpreted as a ban on imported flowers and floral foam, which caused a significant reaction across the industry. Although the messaging was later clarified, it highlighted how quickly perceptions can shift and how important it is that we understand the facts behind the headlines.
What this means for florists
As florists and floral professionals, we are increasingly being asked to justify our choices. Customers and venues are more frequently requesting locally grown flowers only. While this may sound like the most sustainable option, it is not always realistic or even the most environmentally responsible choice, depending on the time of year and growing conditions.
This is why knowledge is so important. When you understand the full picture, you can have open and informed conversations with your clients. You can explain why local flowers are not always available, and why imported roses are not as harmful as they are sometimes portrayed. More importantly, you can introduce the idea that sustainability is far more complex than simply choosing local over imported.
Looking beyond local
Rose farming in developing countries plays a vital role in supporting local economies and communities. Across the World of Spray Roses’ farms, the impact goes far beyond growing flowers. These farms provide stable employment, support families, and contribute to the long-term development of the areas they operate in.
Many of the farms invest directly into their communities, helping to build schools, improve access to healthcare, and create opportunities that simply would not exist otherwise. There is also a strong focus on empowering women, offering fair wages, training, and career progression in regions where opportunities can often be limited. This has a ripple effect, supporting not just individuals but entire families and future generations.
It is important to recognise that when you choose these spray roses, you are supporting far more than a product. You are supporting livelihoods, communities, and meaningful progress.
There are also initiatives such as Fairmiles, which encourage a more balanced and data-led understanding of sustainability in floristry. When factors such as energy use, climate, and transport are considered together, the results can be surprising. In some cases, roses grown in natural sunlight in countries like Kenya and then transported to the UK can have a lower environmental impact than those grown locally in heated greenhouses.
Being honest about pesticides
It is also important to address the subject of pesticides honestly. The reality is that rose farms do need to use them, particularly when exporting. Regulations are extremely strict, and if even a single tiny insect is found within a shipment, it will be rejected and returned. This has serious consequences for growers.
However, the industry has made significant progress in how these challenges are managed. Many farms now operate using Integrated Pest Management, often referred to as IPM. This approach focuses on prevention and control rather than routine chemical use. Natural predators are introduced to manage pests, and simple monitoring methods such as coloured sticky cards are used too, like a home fly trap. Chemical treatments are only applied when necessary.
When spraying does take place, it is carried out under strict conditions. Workers are fully protected, and greenhouses are closed for a set period to ensure safety. Increasingly, the products used are designed to be as low-impact as possible whilst meeting the requirements of international export standards.
Seeing the bigger picture
There is a vast amount of information available to explore. Platforms such as Thursd provide access to a wide range of articles and research on sustainability within the floral industry. Fairmiles is also a valuable resource, offering clear and practical information to help support more informed conversations.
Ultimately, this is not about choosing between local and imported flowers. It is about understanding the full story and making informed decisions. By arming yourself with knowledge, you can approach these conversations with confidence and clarity. You are not simply defending your choices; you are helping others to see the bigger picture. And that is where real change begins.
