A broad alliance of trade unions, non governmental organisations (NGOs) and international flower trade organisations have reached agreement on the standards and procedures to create a new international consumer label for the floriculture sector called "Fair Flowers & Plants". The aim behind the new label is to improve the working and living conditions of workers in the flower industry and to promote further protection of the environment. This new international flower label stands for environmentally sustainable and socially responsible floricultural production. Its basis will be the ICC (International Code of Conduct for the Production of Cut flowers) including its Rules for Implementation and its Guidelines as well as the MPS qualification standards. Other environmental and social programmes will be given the opportunity to enter the new label after a process of negotiations and benchmarking. Once the requirements are met, the FFP label may be attached to these particular products at the point-of-sale (florists). Union Fleurs as the umbrella organisation in the floricultural industry will co-ordinate the marketing, on the trade side, for the whole flower industry. "FlowerTech" www.hortiworld.nl For more information contact: Rolf Persson, Union Fleurs, International Floricultural Trade Association, Phone: +46 478 411 88