Call to members for plant health research proposals

The newly founded National Centre for Environmental Horticulture and Plant Health (NCEH) is asking the landscaping industry for project proposals.

BALI members have the opportunity to put forward projects which would bring innovation, research, and practical outcomes to the environmental horticulture sector.

Those wishing to submit a proposal would have to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) or Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) ahead of the 4 August deadline.

We can help any interested members get the ball rolling by putting them in touch with the relevant contact at these organisations – please email technical@bali.org.uk for more information.

The detailed specification for proposals can be read here but in summary all proposals must:

• Be relevant to environmental horticulture and plant health
• Deliver clear benefits to the UK environmental horticulture sector
• Meet the Frascati principles Frascati Manual 2015 | OECD 

The NCEH was launched in May this year to research and help mitigate existing and emerging threats to our green spaces

It is a collaboration between the AHPA and RHS but otherwise funded by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

At the time of launch, Defra Chief Plant Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spence, said: 

“Climate change and globalisation are increasing the range and diversity of threats to our plants and this groundbreaking new centre marks a significant step forward in how we protect UK biosecurity.

“Bringing together expertise to deliver innovative research and science will help us stay ahead of emerging threats and better protect the country.”