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NUMBER 01, JANUARY-MARCH 2011
President Santos celebrates International Women’s Day with
the flower industry
Juan Manual Santos, President of Colombia celebrated International Women’s Day this past March
8th, together with his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez, by paying a visit to a flower farm in
Facatativa. Over 1,000 flower workers were invited to share in the celebration with the nation’s
leader who gave a speech dedicated to Colombian floriculture - an industry that generates 25% of
rural employment for Colombian women. During his speech, President Santos highlighted the valor
and commitment of the Colombian woman, particularly those with
ties to the floriculture industry for their multi-faceted roles as
workers, mothers and wives. The President also emphasized his
continued support for the country’s floriculture industry itself, not
only with a view to getting its products out to 89 countries, but
also for its generating large-scale employment and dignity for the
nation going forward. “The legitimate jobs floriculture
generates for the country shall be preserved. We will endeavor
to keep our nation’s flowers among our top-ranking exports,”
stated Santos. Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores, indicated
that President Santos’ visit amounts to a clear show of support
from the Colombian government for the floriculture industry.
María Clemencia Rodríguez, Colombian
First Lady, with Augusto Solano.
From Colombia with love…
On the heels of
Valentine’s Day,
Colombian flower
growers bring another
sales cycle to a close
with International
Women’s Day. From
sending 30 flights a day,
mostly north to the United
States, Colombian flower
growers turned their
sights on Russia, their
second biggest market.
March 8th is most
commonly associated with
the now infamous New
York textile plant fire in
1909 where 129 women
lost their lives while locked in, protesting for rights against workplace abuses and exploitation from
their bosses. In 1914, the commemoration caught on in Russia where bestowing flowers on all females
regardless of age became symbolic of its celebration of the day.
Time Runs Out for Preferential
ATPDEA Tariffs
This past February 13th
, preferential tariffs conceded by
the ATPDEA expired once again after having been
renewed for 6 weeks in December 2010. Since that time
until now, the United States congress has approved no
further extensions, despite the existence of significant
bi-partisan support for the initiative. Everything points
to unrelated legislative propositions fomenting debate
inside Congress that are delaying approval.
Despite these recent developments, the Colombian
government and the country’s private sector are
optimistic about the ATPDEA getting extended for a
longer period, and are forging ahead with strengthening
existing business ties between the United States and
Colombia that have already generated formal quality
employment in both nations.
Importers Back ATPDEA and FTA Several members of the United States flower chain have come out in
support of the ATPDEA and FTA with Colombia. During the week of
February 8th
, Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores and the
Executive Director at AFIF, Christine Boldt, with the support of the
Unites States Embassy in Colombia and the Colombian Commercial
Office in Washington, together with Ambassador Ron Kirk, USTR, made
the rounds with both Democratic and Republican members of congress
in the United States, as well as attending a House Ways and Means
Committee hearing to analyze the implications of the Free Trade
Agreement with Colombia. Inroads have been made into raising
awareness among members of Congress on the importance of approving
a new ATPDEA extension. Although, the subject has become entwined with internal political
commercial debates, retroactive approval is expected soon.
McCain reiterated his support for the FTA during his visit to Colombia
Republican Senator John McCain, visited
Cartagena, Colombia, this past January.
During his meeting with Colombian
President Juan Manuel Santos, McCain
reiterated his commitment to getting
approval for the Free Trade Agreement
between Colombia and the United States.
“The FTA is a debt the US Congress owes
to Colombia,” he affirmed during his visit.
Colombian flowers: Guests of honor at Ikebana 2010
The quality and diversity of Colombian flowers just
keeps growing on the demanding Japanese market.
Last December 11th, the country of Colombia and its
flowers were the guests of honor at Ikebana
International in Tokyo. Patricia Cardenas,
Colombian Ambassador to Japan, presided over the
event with the support of Asocolflores. Hundreds of
Colombian flowers made their way into the hands of
Ikebana masters at an affair that brought together
florists and floral designers from all over Japan. The
event created a window of opportunity to continue promoting the consumption of Colombian
flowers in Japan, where Colombia has managed to consolidate itself at the second provider of
fresh cut flowers.
John Barrasso, Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, and John
McCain.
Patricia Cárdenas, Colombian Ambassador to Japan next
to Princess Takamado
In Attendance at IPM Essen 2011
IPM Essen made its mark as one of the major horticultural events in Europe with the
attendance of flower purchasers from different countries. Six Asocolflores member companies
collectively participated with the support of Proexport in this important exhibit during the last
week of January under the country brand name ‘Colombia, Land of Flowers® at the BGI
Association of German Importers Business Center.
143 Species of Birds Enjoy Protection on Florverde Farms
The Florverde Farm Program, in partnership with SENA, the Bogotá Ornithological Association, and the Antioquia Ornithological Society, recently carried out “The Flower Bird” research project that provides evidence of agriculture initiatives helping to conserve 143 species of birds in Colombia.
This project was carried out on 29 farms located around the northern and western sectors of the Bogotá Savannah and around eastern Antioquia. Diverse waterfowl habitats such as reservoirs, canals,
wetlands, live fences and forested areas were identified on the farms and 143 species were identified. 29 of the species are migratory birds making the trek in from Canada or the United States and arriving in Colombia in October to nest until March. 31 species of waterfowl were also identified that are generally associated with flower farm reservoirs – a situation that speaks to the high quality of water found on Colombian flower farms.
APHIS Visit to Colombia
Friday, February 11th
,
APHIS representatives
visited the ‘Flores Santa
Barbara’ farm by
invitation of
Asocolflores. The visit
was hosted by the farm’s manager Jorge Álvarez, Horacio Álavrez
from the BPI Department, as well as other company staff. Iván
Restrepo, Asocolflores Director for Ceniflores and Alvaro Forero
Physotsanitary auditor were in attendance on behalf of
Asocolflores. This visit was of great significance for the
industry, creating an opportunity to exhibit the efforts gone
through at flower producing farms to grow flowers that meet
the standards demanded by importing countries to a group of
experts. This field trip was part of The South America APHIS Area
Directors regional meeting held in Bogotá.
Asocolflores commitment
to the flower industry
To our clients: To whom we provide quality
products that comply with the strictest
environmental controls and observe the cold
chain, thus ensuring a beautiful long-lasting
product.
To our workers: Who day-by-day help grow better flowers for a
better world. We guarantee workers a dignified job; provide
them with opportunities to higher levels of social development.
To the environment: Through Florverde®, we promote
sustainable floriculture. With the endorsement of the
GLOBALG.A.P. standard, the Swiss firm SGS and Icontec, we work
in areas that include personnel management, occupational
health, worker and community welfare, training and
development, water, soil, IPM, fertilizer, and waste management
and recycling, as well as landscaping and biodiversity
conservation.
To our country through job creation: Thanks to the School of
Floriculture program, we aid over 1,000 displaced or vulnerable
families, so they can learn to produce cut flowers and apply for
permanent jobs with our member companies.
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