It is recognised that one of the biggest threats to agriculture, gardens and the environment is the increasing number of pests and diseases which are spreading around the world, either airborne or through travel or importing of plants.

The Need for Plant Biosecurity

Plant life is under threat worldwide, from urban development, forest destruction and climate change. But a growing threat is from plant pests and diseases spreading around the globe, exacerbated by the warming climate. In 2019 the IUCN Red List of Trees indicated 42% of European trees are considered as having a high risk of extinction; the primary threat being invasive plant pests and diseases.

There is one disease in particular, Xylella fastidiosa which is causing the most concern in Europe because it can infect over 600 plant species including trees. The European Commission says this: “Xylella as one of the most dangerous plant bacteria worldwide, with huge economic impact for agriculture, gardens and the environment”.

As you can imagine, the loss of tree and plant species, especially those depended upon by pollinators, would have a disastrous impact on this genre of insects which are already in decline and struggling to find forage at certain times of the year.

The Plant Health Management Standard

It is imperative Xylelle stays out of the UK. To this end, the UK government has written ‘The Plant Health Management Standard’. This document developed by industry, with input from government and third sector organisations, sets out key requirements for implementing plant biosecurity systems and relates to a range of horticultural businesses and organisations. These include: commercial nurseries, plant retailers, landscape management businesses, arborists and public gardens.

Plant Healthy Certification Scheme

The Plant Healthy Certification Scheme is based on the new standards which enable the whole of the horticulture supply chain which handles plant material to do so in a manner which promotes plant health and biosecurity.

There are now two auditing bodies running schemes to ensure excellent biosecurity practices in plant and tree nurseries:

Plant Healthy and The Woodland Trust (UKISG) UK and Ireland sourced and grown.