Bouquets imported to Europe found to be heavily contaminated, often with chemicals banned in EU and UK
Stay away from roses this Valentine’s Day, environmental campaigners have warned after testing revealed them to be heavily contaminated with pesticides.
Laboratory testing on bouquets in the Netherlands, Europe’s flower import hub, found roses had the highest residues of neurological and reproductive toxins compared with other flowers.
Red roses were found to be the worst, with one bunch containing traces of 26 different pesticides, half of which are banned for use in the EU.
“Nothing says love like roses coated in a fine chemical cocktail,” said Roisin Taylor, of Verde Flower Co in Northumberland, whose business focuses on sustainable flowers and who has been campaigning to raise awareness of pesticides in the industry.
