Cut Flower Industry in Ecuador

CAYAMBE, ECUADOR - JUNE 29: Bunches of colorful roses are seen at a flower farm in Cayambe, Ecuador, 29 June 2010. Ecuador is one of the world leaders in cut flower industry. The advantage of the moderate sunny climate, very cheap labor force in combination with the absence of social laws and environmental regulations have created perfect conditions for the cut flower production. Flower growing is very fragile and necessarily depends on irrigation and chemical maintenance, provided by highly toxic pesticides. About 50.000 workers in Ecuador, working mainly for living minimum wage, keep the floral industry going and saturate the market generated by consumerist culture in the US, Canada and Europe. (Photo by Jan Sochor/Latincontent/Getty Images)