Bouquets in Test: Warning of "Pesticide Potpourri" for Mother's Day

In an independent laboratory, the Global 2000 test for Mother's Day randomly examined ten bouquets for more than 600 different pesticides.

Bouquets in the test contaminated with numerous pesticides

The results: As in previous years, most of the analyzed bouquets can be unhesitatingly classified as a "pesticide potpourri." Not a single sample was without pesticide residues. "Up to 30 different pesticides could be detected per bouquet - a large part of which pose serious health risks to humans. Reproductive damage, cancer, or hormonal disruptions are just some of the possible effects," says Dr. Waltraud Novak, pesticide expert at GLOBAL 2000. "However, there is also a positive exception this year - only three pesticides were found on a tulip bouquet from Austria."

Global 2000 demands import regulations for pesticides banned in the EU

Problem areas Novak finds it alarming that almost all samples this year also showed pesticide residues that are banned in the European Union for serious reasons. The import of such dangerous substances through the back door continues. "There is still a lack of appropriate import regulations. Some substances are found that have not been approved in the European Union for over a decade. There is no awareness among suppliers or producers. The EU urgently needs to create appropriate laws and mechanisms to avoid making its own bans absurd. We expect suppliers to only offer flowers that do not poison the environment or endanger human health," Novak further explains.

Warning of "cocktail effect" from numerous pesticides

In all analyzed bouquets, pesticides were found that are particularly harmful to human health. "The negative highlight of our test was a mixed bouquet with a total of 19 highly problematic substances for health," explains Novak. "Especially on Mother's Day, this should give us pause, as the - predominantly female - workers on the plantations in the countries of origin have to handle these toxic substances, often without adequate protective equipment." More than half of the examined bouquets were also contaminated with ten or more pesticides. The resulting "cocktail effect" is hardly researched. Novak expresses concerns: "Interactions, such as the amplification of individual risks, are not part of the approval process. Here, a potentially unknown source of danger may be lurking."

Bouquets in the test: Global 2000 criticizes lack of transparency in origin information

"Origin information is nowhere to be found on the bouquets," explains Novak. "In nine out of ten cases, there was no information about the origin. Most flowers come to Europe via the port of Rotterdam, but production takes place almost exclusively in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, or Ecuador - European protection regulations naturally do not apply there." The Global 2000 expert sees politics as particularly challenged: "There are two urgent agendas, on the one hand, there is a need for legal limits for ornamental plants and cut flowers, on the other hand, the long-planned export ban for pesticides not approved in the EU must finally be implemented." For those who still want to give something on Mother's Day, Novak recommends: "Pick flowers yourself, look for 'organic flowers,' prefer local flowers, or shop in special slow flower shops."

(Red)

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