On Monday 9 January, the UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), in partnership with the Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Forestry Commission, published the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain. This five-year action plan aims to protect native plant species, drive economic growth, and secure national biosecurity in the UK. The strategy also sets out a vision for creating a bio-secure plant supply chain, which will safeguard food security and help to mitigate the effects of climate change.
According to updated figures, plants provide an annual value of £15.7 billion ($21.4 billion) to the UK. As such, the new strategy includes specific actions, such as expanding the Animal and Plant Health Agency's Internet Trading Unit, in order to increase monitoring of online retailers and social media sites for the trade of high-risk plant products. This will help to prevent potentially devastating pests and diseases from entering the country.
The strategy also outlines how more than 30 signatories, including Defra, the Royal Horticultural Society, the National Farmers Union, and the Woodland Trust, will deliver an ambitious programme of behavioural change across society through the Public Engagement in Plant Health Accord. This collective commitment will initiate a national conversation around biosecurity and promote the actions that the public can take to protect tree and plant health.
Lord Benyon, the Minister for Biosecurity, commented on the strategy, saying: "This landmark strategy sets out how we will protect Great Britain's plants, with the government, industry and the public working together to tackle the risks posed by plant pests and diseases. In light of climate change, tackling these varied and mounting risks will be critical to maintaining our food security, as well as facilitating safe trade amidst a challenging economic backdrop."
Nicola Spence, the UK Chief Plant Health Officer, added: "Plant pests and diseases know no borders. As the global trade in plants and plant products continues to grow, our precious ecosystems, native species and biosecurity are at risk. The resultant threats posed to our treescapes, food security, and the global economy are all too real. Therefore, I am proud to officially launch the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain, which will deliver a step change in our plant health protections, actions, and behaviours. This will position Great Britain as a global leader in plant biosecurity and set an example for the world to follow."
Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh Government's Minister for Rural Affairs, also commented on the strategy, saying: "The Plant Biosecurity Strategy emphasises our commitment to protect the health of our plants. Plants are the foundation of our ecosystems and provide life to the whole food chain. The strategy outlines what we will do, working with others, to further protect this vital resource."
Sara Lom, the CEO of The Tree Council, added: "The Tree Council was created nearly 50 years ago in response to Dutch elm disease and now leads activity into the devastating impacts of ash dieback. From first-hand experience, we know that effective biosecurity is vital in defence of Britain's trees and plants. We welcome the launch of the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain and look forward to working with Defra and partners to protect our treescape."
In addition to these actions, the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain will also set out how enhancements to the UK Plant Health Risk Register, which currently lists 1,200 pests and diseases that are potential threats to biosecurity, will improve understanding of the complex and cumulative risks to plant health. To support this, the strategy will introduce new plant health IT systems to strengthen outbreak preparedness and emergency response. It will also establish a new plant health research and innovation fund to support the development of new technologies and techniques for plant protection.
The strategy will also aim to strengthen international cooperation on plant biosecurity, in order to address the transboundary nature of plant pests and diseases. This will involve engaging with global partners and participating in international frameworks and agreements on plant health.
Overall, the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain sets out a comprehensive plan for protecting plants from pests and diseases, with the goal of positioning the UK as a global leader in plant biosecurity. By working together with the government, industry, and the public, and through the implementation of specific actions and innovations, the strategy aims to safeguard food security, protect native plant species, and drive economic growth, while also addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
To read the full strategy go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-biosecurity-strategy-for-great-britain-2023-to-2028/plant-biosecurity-strategy-for-great-britain-2023-to-2028
Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash
