Possible Health and Environmental Risks from Pesticides on Imported Roses

News report | 21-01-2026 | 13:00

To assess health and environmental risks, BuRO purchased roses at various locations in the Netherlands during the winter of 2023-24 and summer of 2024, totaling 177 samples, which were analyzed. These results were used for a risk assessment. Based on this, BuRO identifies a potential health risk for people professionally exposed to imported roses, especially if workers do not use personal protective equipment.

Consumers, unlike those working in the flower sector, have limited exposure to imported roses and other cut flowers. It is expected that most detected residues do not pose health risks. However, if consumers consume rose petals not intended for consumption, this can lead to health risks, especially for small children.

BuRO also notes risks for soil organisms and bees, and the risk that some fungi become resistant to azoles (used in pesticides and medicines against fungi) when imported roses enter the environment via green waste (organic waste, fruit, and garden waste) or compost heaps.

Recommendations

To minimize health and environmental risks, the advisory report strongly recommends regulating the presence of pesticide residues on imported roses and other cut flowers from outside the EU. Until this is regulated, appropriate measures are needed to ensure the safety and health of everyone professionally exposed to the flowers. It is also important to inform consumers not to consume rose petals. Consumers and businesses should be advised not to dispose of imported roses and other cut flowers in organic waste or compost heaps but to dispose of them safely via residual waste.

Presence of pesticide residues

Imported cut flowers from countries outside the EU enter via (air)ports. Upon arrival, inspections are conducted to verify compliance with EU plant health requirements, which stipulate that flowers must be free of harmful organisms. It is likely that flowers are treated with pesticides and sometimes biocides in the country of origin. This treatment is not under NVWA supervision. The presence of pesticide and/or biocide residues can lead to exposure of people and environmental organisms in the Netherlands.

Follow-up

The NVWA uses the risk assessment for its multi-year, risk-based, and knowledge-driven supervision strategy. It is important to reduce the risks identified in the assessment, prevent future risks, and conduct follow-up research on other cut flowers and ornamental products imported from countries outside the EU; ornamental products from other countries of import; and edible flowers on the Dutch market. The health and environmental risks warrant monitoring through sampling and research of imported roses and other cut flowers at the external border.

In anticipation of possible policy measures and follow-up research, the NVWA appeals to all stakeholders in and around the chain to do more than current legal requirements prescribe when importing roses and other cut flowers, thereby limiting the risks of pesticide residues. The use of substances outside the EU that leads to risky residue levels on roses and other cut flowers destined for the EU must be prevented. The entire chain can contribute to this.

Advice from BuRO

The BuRO report, supported by an underlying study by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), is advice to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and the State Secretary for Youth, Prevention and Sport and the Inspector-General of the NVWA regarding the possible risks of pesticide residues on imported roses and other cut flowers from countries outside the EU for public health and the environment. The report follows up on the BuRO advice on risks in the ornamental horticulture chain (2020).

More information

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