Sectors

Barley
Agriculture
With plentiful rain and long summer day lengths, Scotland produces some of the highest yielding and best quality crops in the world. But conditions that promote good crop growth are often good for pests and pathogens too and in Scotland 15-20% of our crops are lost to pests and diseases annually.
Snail on leaf
Environment
Scotland has a remarkable assemblage of species and habitats with Atlantic, montane, boreal, arctic-alpine, and oceanic habitats in close proximity. However, pests and pathogens represent an increasing threat to these natural assets, and a particular challenge is the sheer complexity of the diversity of the natural environment in terms of the number of species that may be impacted.
trees on river
Forestry
The sector represents a major component of Scotland’s rural economy – providing significant employment and raw materials for wood processing industries. Sustainable forest management seeks to deliver these economic benefits alongside important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and flood mitigation, provision of wildlife habitat and opportunities for recreation and a range of leisure activities. Pests and diseases threaten the continued long-term delivery of these benefits.
Daffodils
Horticulture
Scotland is renowned for the quality of its private and public horticultural collections, and its rich cultural history of plant collecting, allotments and gardening. Horticultural plantings are of significant economic value, as well as providing amenity, health and well-being, cultural and conservation resources. However, pest and pathogens represent a major threat to this highly diverse set of plantings.

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PCN cyst: Image credit James Hutton Institute

Plant Health Centre to chair working group on Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN)

The Plant Health Centre has been asked by Scottish Government to chair a working group on Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) following our recently completed report, which can be found on the 'Projects' section of our website.
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PHC Knowledge Bank

Expansion of PHC Online Plant Health Resources

This project has expanded the PHC online Resource Bank for plant health threats to the Natural Environment sector in Scotland to include information sources for the remaining three sectors (Forestry, Agriculture and Horticulture). Information sources for Forestry, Agriculture and Horticulture were compiled and evaluated, and a Knowledge Bank relevant to each sector is now online at the PHC website, creating a comprehensive and unique signposting resource for plant health information with relevance to Scotland.

 

 

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Our Highlighted Event

Potatoes in Practice drone view
Potatoes in Practice - CANCELLED
13 Aug 2020, 9am - 5pm

Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK. The event brings together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place making it an essential date in the potato industry calendar.
In the field, you'll find commercial breeders showcasing the latest varieties, agronomists demonstrating what's new in crop protection and researchers discussing their most recent findings, all on hand to share their knowledge and give advice.
Indoors, you'll find a range of exhibitors from agricultural advisors and scientific researchers to processors and technology companies.
There will also be a series of technical seminars open to all attendees complementing the research demonstrations.

CANCELLED for 2020 due to COVID-19

Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK. The event brings together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place making it an essential date in the potato industry calendar.