The Scottish Government have committed £2.2 Million funding over 5 years for a project that will implement the recommendations of the PCN Working Group, which will be coordinated through the Plant Health Centre.

The Forestry Commission has recently urged that woodland managers, land owners and tree nurseries to remain vigilant after new breeding populations of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) were identified in Kent.

Visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eight-toothed-european-spruce-bark-beetle-ips-typographus for information on identification and reporting of this pest.

Agrilus mali, a beetle pest, mainly affecting Malus species (apple trees) has been added to the UK Pest Risk Register. Currently only known to be present in parts of Asia.

The oak longhorn beetle (Neocerambyx raddei) and two-lined chestnut borer (Agrilus bilineatus) are now on the GB quarantine list, and as a result new measures apply to importation of wood, wood chips, plants for planting and isolated bark from certain host plants (from specific thirs countries).

The Plant Health Centre's Sector Lead for Agriculture, Prof. Fiona Burnett, delivered a presentation and led discussions on the potential impacts of pesticide withdrawals for Scotland's plant-based industries (and natural environment) at a ministerial workshop. [presentation slides attached to this article]

Even if it has not yet been detected north of the border, Scottish growers must take adequate steps to monitor growing areas for the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), a new potential threat to the UK’s agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries.

The Plant Health Centre have recently led a working group on behalf of Scottish Government to examine the threat to Scotland of Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) as outlined at the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) potato Winter meeting. and recent media reports.

On Thursday 11th February 2021, with the agreement of the Devolved Administrations, Defra introduced UK-wide legislation which implements new measures for Xylella. These measures will come into force on 4th March 2021

Registrations are open for the 3rd European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa, jointly organised by EFSA and XF-ACTORS, with contributions from several other initiatives including Euphresco will be held online from 26 April to 30 April 2021 (deadline for registration of 7th March).

The British Society for Plant Pathology funded four awards for writing about the history of plant pandemics. The final reports on Huanglongbing (greening disease): citrus, Pine wilt disease, Ug99 (stem rust of wheat) and Ash Dieback can be found on the BSPP website.