Canada (ON): Environmentally sustainable ornamental plant production in Canada

Flowers Canada Growers Inc. (FCG) represents flower growers, who are world class leaders in producing high quality flowers and plants for both domestic consumption and export.

Canadian flower farmers contribute significantly to the Canadian economy employing over 20,000 skilled workers and provide an economic impact of $4.2 billion to Canada’s economy. Ornamental flowers and plants positively support the urban and rural landscape, provide shelter and food for animals and insects and contribute toward CO2 and other pollutant reduction. Ornamental farmers, have an invested interest in beautifying and improving the landscape and environment for all.

Limiting pest and disease damage to crops is critical to ensure plant health and high quality products are accessible to consumers. Plant damage caused by pests or diseases can render greenhouse-grown ornamental crops unsalable and infested ornamental crops can potentially lead to pest and disease issues for the end-consumer and on other ornamental garden plants. Consequently, many retailers have a zero tolerance policy for the presence of pests and disease on container grown flowering ornamental plants. To combat pest and disease outbreak, growers use a variety of control approaches with an overwhelming majority using established Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches like using biological control agents (BCA’s), crop monitoring and the use of pest thresholds. As BCA’s are often sensitive to chemical applications many growers choose not to use pest control products at all except as a last resort or in small areas. Even then chemical controls are only used in accordance with the Health Canada approved label.

Flower growers are committed to environmental sustainability and integrated pest management farming practices and we are concerned about the health of pollinators. We look forward to working with our retail partners and are dedicated to continuing to provide high quality, pest free plants for the benefit of all.

Dean Shoemaker, Executive Director at FCG comments, “Our farmers are very focused on environmental impact, plant health and are always looking for innovative approaches to control pests. Conventional pest management tools are always the last resort and when used are strictly used in compliance of Health Canada regulations.”

Flowers Canada works closely with Agriculture Canada, Health Canada, the CFIA, the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture and many other agencies, associations and groups that are actively concerned with sustainable agricultural production.

Flowers Canada Growers is the national trade and professional association of the Canadian floral industry serving the floriculture sector and its members, greenhouse floriculture producers for over 50 years. FCG’s mission is to enhance the profitability and competitiveness of Canada’s floriculture sector by helping growers address common issues. FCG strives to help growers find solutions in trade, plant bio-security, research and innovation, human resources, environment, marketing and risk management.

For more information:
Flowers Canada Growers Inc.
T: +1-800-698-0113
email: flowers@fco.ca
www.flowerscanadagrowers.com