Plant Health Week 2023: the importance of plant health

2023 represents the third annual National Plant Health week, running from 8th to 14th May. The week, which is supported by over 30 organisations - including BALI - intends to raise public awareness and engagement on keeping plants healthy.

Since members need no instruction on how to keep plants healthy, the Association has instead used the week as an opportunity to share plant health information relevant to professional users of plants, as well as remind members of their duties in relation to plant health.

Oak processionary moth

Established in the UK since 2006, oak processionary moth is one of the more visible reminders of why plant health guidelines are vital to ensure the protection of native flora from pests and diseases.

Initially confined to London and the South-East, oak processionary moth is now spreading towards the midlands;  St-Albans and Watford are now classified as areas where OPM is established, whilst towns including Bedford and Milton Keynes are within the ‘Buffer zone’ aimed to restrict further movement of the pest.

Aside from stressing host trees, the caterpillar and nests associated with OPM pose a risk to human and animal health.  Consequently, later this month more onerous measures will be introduced by Defra to slow the further spread of OPM. 

Defra hosted a webinar earlier this week to outline the measures to stakeholders, which the Association shall share as soon as it is available. 

How biosecurity can prevent the introduction and spread of tree pests and diseases

People working in the arboriculture, forestry and landscaping industries are considered a particularly high-risk group for their potential to spread tree pests and diseases.   As a result, the Forestry Commission and Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) have devised three calls to action which members may wish to consider implementing: Think kit, Think transport and Think trees, plants and materials. 

Whilst the calls to action lean towards measures for arboricultural professionals, the same principles can be applied to landscape operations.

See below for more detail:

‘Think kit’

• make sure all equipment, including boots, clothing, ropes and saws, is free from soil and organic material before entering and leaving a site
• regularly clean ropes as per the manufacturer’s guidance, or use dedicated ropes for particular sites
• clean and disinfect chainsaws, pruning saws and other cutting tools as part of routine maintenance, and before using them on a new site

‘Think transport’

• remove any build-up of soil and organic material on vehicles and machinery, including cabs, wheels and foot wells, before leaving each site
• use proper off-site wash-down facilities regularly

‘Think trees, plants, and materials’

• responsibly source planting stock through nurseries or suppliers that adhere to national standards such as the Plant Health Management Standard, or that have their own biosecurity policy in place that you trust
• source planting stock from pest and disease-free areas
• keep accurate, up-to-date records of all purchases and supplies to assist with tracing exercises in the event of an outbreak
• regularly monitor plant and tree stock for signs of ill-health, and report any suspect symptoms using TreeAlert
• if you’re responsible for importing or moving plants, check your plant passport and registration requirements with APHA before doing so
• source landscaping materials from pest-and-disease-free areas only
• be aware of any restrictions in place, or phytosanitary (plant health) measures and treatments required when importing certain materials or their packaging
• specify British-grown plants when sourcing planting stock, to reduce the risk of an accidental introduction of invasive non-native pests or diseases