Eco-Labelling and the Developing Countries: The Dutch Horticultural Sector

This chapter discusses the proliferation of eco-labelling schemes in the horticultural sector in the Netherlands, with special reference to the implications of these schemes for developing-country exporters of horticultural products. Section I places the Dutch horticultural sector in perspective, and touches upon the economic and the environmental problems that have confronted the sector in recent years. Section II discusses four eco-labelling schemes that are either currently operational in this sector or are expected to be introduced in the near future. Section III identifies how the labelling schemes may prejudice the export interests of developing countries, and how the latter may respond to this, including through the introduction of eco-labelling schemes for their own products. The chapter attempts to spell out a number of principles on which international consensus needs to be sought in order to establish an international system for the mutual recognition of eco-labels.