Asocolflores activates ‘Petal Plan’ to get flowers out
Colombia is most definitely back in business as the countdown to USA Mother’s Day begins. The flower industry maintains the essential status that allows it to operate during quarantine and the logistics chain will be operational seven days a week until May 3 to ensure supply is as reliable as possible.
Commenting on the situation in Colombia, which has seen a dramatic fall in sales since the pandemic started, Augusto Solano, President of the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters - Asocolflores told us; “Companies are currently concentrating on meeting demand from the United States and Japan mainly, which are the most active; however, the level of activity of the farms differs widely depending on the markets and the channels they serve, farms are now receiving orders from European countries"
“We will work tirelessly, even on Friday May 1, when Colombia celebrates Labour Day. We have already activated our ‘Petal Plan’, a security and coordination mechanism involving all relevant authorities, created and led by Asocolflores since 2006, to support mobility, cargo flows and prevent illegal activity."
Pictured above: President of Asocolflores Augusto Solano with Caroline Marshall -Foster at last year's Proflora
The 'Petal Plan’ has been strengthened by systemising the processes along the logistics chain to avoid physical contact and reduce the risks from Covid-19. Likewise, the country's ports and airports have increased the number of people in charge of phytosanitary and inspection processes.
In addition the phytosanitary authority, ICA, is providing a special service for inspection requests required outside normal business hours and has arranged for additional electronic certificate signing-off mechanisms for Pompons and Chrysanthemums at El Dorado airport, in Bogotá, and José María Córdoba, in Medellín.
The Anti-Narcotics Police have added 60 guards to reduce inspection times and improve efficiency levels in customs, health and illicit substance controls whilst the National Customs and Tax Authority have authorised additional time for delivering certificates of origin and to support activities during Mother's Day season. In general, so far there are enough cargo flights available.
Asocolflores, which represents a large number of Colombian growers, continues to emphasise the enormous responsibility of all producers operating during Mother's Day season and will constantly call on them to strictly follow hygiene and preventions protocols, in order to maintain the exception to operate.
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