The strategy consists of 5 suggested priority actions to be carried out by both member states and the Commission, and will 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 European Union has recently faced various crises and emergencies due to outbreaks and findings of plant pests in its territory. These pests have had a devastating impact, and this has clearly showed the need for measures to prevent their occurrence or to limit their spread and impact.
Awareness raising is an effective means to facilitate enforcement, effective control measures and rapid intervention in the eradication and control of pests, and was therefore chosen as a priority of the Maltese presidency of the EU.
The new strategy in the field of plant health is structured around five suggested priority actions:
- development of awareness-raising strategies
- creation of a Commission working group of member states experts
- creation of toolkit and awareness-raising materials
- engagement with target groups and training of communicators
- monitoring and evaluation
Background
The Chief plant health officers is a working party of the Council of the EU composed by senior national experts in the phytosanitary sector. At their meeting in February 2017, the presidency proposed the development of a strategy on awareness raising for plant health in the EU as part of its overall priority on emergency preparedness. Senior experts were able to make their voice heard on possible elements of this strategy through a questionnaire.
The replies to the questionnaire were presented during a dedicated workshop entitled 'Awareness Raising as an Essential Tool in Contingency' in Malta in May 2017.
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.
See more: Awareness raising strategy for plant health in the EU
