The International Day of Plant Health 2024 was held on 12th May 2024. The theme for 2024 was safe trade and digital technology, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) calling on everyone to raise awareness and take action to keep our plants healthy and ensure food safety and safe trade for sustainable economies and livelihoods.
In a meeting in Rome on Monday, 13th May 2024, dignitaries from Egypt, Kenya, Canada, and the USA spoke about the commitment of their countries to promoting and securing plant health amidst global trade. These messages were followed by reports on specialised projects. Of particular relevance to ornamental horticulture were the reports about digital phytosanitary certificates for safer trade. Mr Christian Dellis, Deputy Director of USDA-APHIS, reported that 133 countries are participating in the development of e-phytosanitary certificates. Since the platform went live in 2027, there has been rapid uptake since 2020, and 90 countries are already actively engaging in or testing digital certificates. This results in significant savings in time and cost of phytosanitary processing.
Ms Caroline Nankinga, Assistant Commissioner, Phytosanitary and Quarantine, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Republic of Uganda, spoke about how digitising phytosanitary certificates has reduced issues with non-compliance and enhanced collaboration with other NPPOs.
Advances in IPPC’s work to address sea containers as pathways for pests to spread were presented by Mr Greg Wolff, Chairperson Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). He recommended a cautious approach, avoiding heavy-handed measures, and noting that efficient movement of product is highly important for commercial success. Technological advances, such as digital imaging technology and machine learning, are facilitating a reduction in the spread of pests. All six sides of a sea container can be scanned to identify potential signs of contamination. This enables early detection and identification of clusters of contamination, both of which enable target-intensified inspection and cleaning and inform risk-based strategies.
In his closing statement, IPPC Secretary Mr Osama El-Lissy passionately discussed how plants are life. He urged us to raise awareness that nearly everything we do revolves around them, saying that “Plants are the gift that keeps on giving.”
Read more on the FAO website www.fao.org/plant-health-day
Further listening: Podcast Plant safety key to safeguarding food security
