Awareness raising strategy for plant health launched

On 14 June 2017 the Chief plant health officers from the 28 EU member states agreed to launch a new and comprehensive awareness raising strategy for plant health in the EU. The European Union has recently faced various crises and emergencies due to outbreaks and findings of plant pests in its territory and the strategy, consisting of 5 suggested priority actions, was to help national authorities give appropriate information to all those involved in the prevention of and reaction to potentially devastating plant pests, such as Xylella fastidiosa or pine wood nematode.

The awareness raising strategy for plant health in the EU will play a key role in the context of the International year of plant health, which should be held in 2020.