Plant health is under threat. Climate change and human activities have altered ecosystems, reduced biodiversity and created new niches where pests and diseases can thrive. At the same time, international travel and trade has tripled in volume in the last decade and allowed pests and diseases to spread around the world causing great damage to native plants and the environment.
Plant pests and diseases are often impossible to eradicate once they have established, and managing them is time-consuming and expensive. Prevention is critical to avoiding the devastating impact of pests and diseases on the environment.
The landscape industry has an important role to play
Updated plant health regulations were introduced by the European Union during December 2019 to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, and place responsibilities on all landscape professionals. Most EU plant health regulations were adopted by the UK upon departure from the EU in December 2020.
Use of UK plant passports is required for most movements of plants and plant material within the UK from January 2021. Plants and plant material imported into the UK from the EU will require a phytosanitary certificate upon entry.
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