As Valentine's Day Approaches, Murphy Urges

Statement

As Valentine's Day - one of the busiest days of the year for the flower industry - approaches, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to demonstrate their support for the American flower industry by backing origin labeling for imported, non-local flowers. In his letter to Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Murphy notes the positive local economic impacts of supporting small and local flower growers, and highlights the environmental reasons to support local growers over the internationally imported growers.

I write to you today to request your continued backing of the American and locally grown flower industry by supporting country of origin labelling for imported flowers and encouraging American flower farmers to label their products as locally grown. Despite the presence of over 60,000 U.S. floral businesses, the vast majority of cut flowers are imported from countries such as the Netherlands, Colombia, Kenya, and Israel. However, in Connecticut alone there are over 1,700 nurseries businesses involved in the farming, sale, and maintenance of fresh flowers and plants…We must do more to support these small businesses that enhance our communities, employ our friends and neighbors, and produce beautiful products.

Source