A worker crops lateral rosebuds at a cut flower farm in Cayambe, Ecuador, 29 June 2010. Ecuador is one of the world leaders in the cut flower industry. The advantage of a moderate, sunny climate, combined with a very cheap labor force and a lack of social and environmental regulations, has created perfect conditions for cut flower production. Flower cultivation is very delicate and necessarily depends on irrigation and chemical maintenance, provided by highly toxic pesticides. About 50,000...
more »

A worker crops lateral rosebuds at a cut flower farm in Cayambe, Ecuador, 29 June 2010. Ecuador is one of the world leaders in the cut flower industry. The advantage of a moderate, sunny climate, combined with a very cheap labor force and a lack of social and environmental regulations, has created perfect conditions for cut flower production. Flower cultivation is very delicate and necessarily depends on irrigation and chemical maintenance, provided by highly toxic pesticides. About 50,000 workers in Ecuador, working mainly for minimum wage, sustain the floral industry and saturate the market driven by the consumerist culture of the US, Canada, and Europe.
« less