Risks to Plant Health: European Union Priorities for tackling emerging Plant Pests and Diseases

The introduction and spread of pests and diseases among food crops and other plant species in forestry, horticulture and natural habitats has significant consequences for sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and ecosystem services. The European Commission has recently proposed reform to plant health legislation to prevent and control the cross-border entry and spread of such threats. This initiative is important in reinforcing technical aspects of risk analysis, quarantine and other controls and it also provides the opportunity to raise awareness of the need to tackle the wider issues associated with the threat from emerging plant pests and diseases to crops and forests and also to the other ecosystem services provided by the environment.