A new requirement for the forestry sector will be piloted to
combat the threat from pests and diseases and further strengthen
UK biosecurity, Defra and the Forestry Commission announced today
(Wednesday 20 April).
The Biosecure Procurement Requirement means that, from June 2022,
applicants for funding under the England Woodland Creation Offer
and the Future Farming Tree Health Pilot must commit to sourcing
their trees from suppliers who are either accredited under the
Plant Healthy Certification Scheme or who have passed
a Ready to Plant assessment,
as provided by Fera Science Ltd.
The threat of pests and disease is significant and growing as a
result of globalisation and climate change. Introducing the
Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot now will address these
risks to our biosecurity, minimise the net loss to our existing
treescape, and serve to realise our long-term vision for our
trees and woodlands.
This pilot will enable suppliers to demonstrate that their
operational practices comply with the industry
benchmark Plant
Health Management Standard. This Standard includes protocols
which are key to developing a robust plant health management
system and sets out practical requirements for suppliers to help
protect the plant supply chain.
Professor Nicola Spence, UK Chief Plant Health Officer,
said:
Our biosecurity standards are among the highest in Europe. As we
build back greener, we must consider new and ambitious ways to
not simply maintain these standards but further strengthen them.
By leading the way with this new pilot, we are addressing the
significant and increasing threat of pests and diseases and
building a strong biosecurity culture across the country.
Sir William Worsley, Forestry Commission Chair,
said:
Our nation’s biosecurity will be integral to the success of our
tree planting ambitions.
This pilot will ensure that the forestry sector plays its role in
upholding rigorous standards of biosecurity and in doing so,
safeguards our much-loved trees and forests for generations to
come.
The launch of the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot fulfils
a commitment within the England Trees Action Plan, which sets out
our long-term plan for England’s trees, woodlands and forests.
Healthy trees and plants benefit people, the environment, and the
economy. Protecting the long-term welfare of our treescapes will
underpin Government efforts to treble tree planting rates by the
end of this Parliament and plant 30,000 hectares of trees across
the UK per year by 2025, as well as form part of wider efforts to
achieve Net Zero by 2050.
For more information on the Biosecure Procurement Pilot
Requirement, read this
Forestry Commission blog.
The Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot will run for 12
months from June 2022.
