Scotland's Plant Health Centre - Key principles to minimise plant health risks

SOURCE PLANTS WITH CARE Movement of plants is an important pathway for spreading pests and diseases which may hitchhike on plants, in seed, soil and packaging. Taking steps to start with healthy plants is vital. • Ensure all plant movements are legally compliant • Seek locally sourced and well-grown plants when acquiring new material, and support reputable and quality assured suppliers • Take particular care with international movement of plants, and import plants only when absolutely necessary • Be vigilant when purchasing species known to be vectors of serious pests and diseases • Carefully match plants to be suitable for their planting location: stressed plants can be particularly susceptible to pests and diseases Positive activities which already exemplify this principle • Potato ‘safe haven’ scheme – advisory/voluntary. Started by industry and then adopted by government. Preventing disease being brought into the country – growers audited and have to sign up annually. • Nature conservation areas developing own local nurseries and schemes to support UK production (e.g. Woodland Trust) • Seed health inspections (EPPO standards etc) • Making use of natural regeneration and self-seeding Further activities which could be taken to underpin this principle • Stronger border inspections and pre-border regulation, tackling gap in regulation of on-line purchases • Greater consistency of regulation across sectors (e.g. the same plant species could be used in forestry and landscaping yet with very different controls) • Increased awareness of emerging issues which cross sectors, which may be of concern to one but invisible to others (e.g. tomato industry concerns about rugose virus yet found in horticultural seeds in garden centres).

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