Changes to biosecurity import laws stand to impact Australia's flower industry to the tune of millions of dollars, with a likely price hike to be felt at the consumer end.
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But local growers say the changes may improve the Riverina's thriving home-grown market.
Roughly $67million dollars worth of fresh-cut flowers is imported into the nation every year, with the greatest intensity coinciding with February 14.
Majority arrive from Africa or Asia, but in the past 45 years of importation, but the requirement to label origin at the sale has never been mandated.
The owner of a micro-flower farm in North Wagga, Sophie Kurylowicz has welcomed the government's announcement.
"It's really exciting actually, I think it's following on from the real clean eating movement that's been coming across," said the 33-year-old owner of Little Triffids Flowers.
"Not only do people really want to know where their food is coming from, they now want to know where the flowers are coming from and that's great."
In order to protect Australia's biosecurity from the transference of foreign insects and plant-based infections, imported flowers will be subjected to even heavier scrutiny.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is calling for this to include compulsory flower fumigation.
It follows a 2017 review that found less than half of those imported in the year complied with environmental standards.
"Already flowers are sprayed for bugs on the way into the country, so you end up with a lot of chemicals on your flower," said Ms Kurylowicz.
"It's not altogether a bad thing, except that, well, what's the first thing you do when you get flowers? You put your face into them for a smell."
Without foreign competition, home-grown flower prices stand to rise, especially around saturation events like Valentine's Day.
But, Ms Kurylowicz expects her consumers will be able to see the benefit outweigh the cost.
"The main difference between my flowers and the flowers that have come from all over the world is the carbon miles," she said.
"In terms of protecting our environment from the sorts of diseases that can turn up in imports, this isn't too unreasonable as a measure."