The world marked the International Day of Plant Health with renewed calls for stronger plant biosecurity measures to protect global food systems, livelihoods and the environment from the growing threat of pests and diseases.
Speaking during this year’s commemoration themed “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security,” Secretary of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Enrico Perotti emphasized that protecting plants is critical in ensuring sustainable food production and safe international trade.
Perotti noted that plant pests and diseases continue to pose a major threat to agriculture globally, warning that their impact extends beyond farms to economies, ecosystems and communities that depend on agriculture for survival.
“Plant health is everyone’s responsibility — and biosecurity is our first line of defense,” said Perotti.
He explained that plant biosecurity involves putting in place measures that prevent harmful pests and diseases from spreading and destroying crops and natural vegetation. According to him, effective biosecurity systems help ensure that food crops remain safe for consumption and suitable for trade in global markets.
Perotti warned that when plant pests invade farms and fields, millions of people around the world face food shortages as crop yields decline. Farmers also suffer major economic losses due to reduced harvests and increased production costs associated with pest management.
“When plant pests destroy crops, millions of people around the world suffer from a lack of food. Farmers lose harvests and sources of income, and international trade of crops is disrupted,” he said.
He added that global movement of people and goods has increased the risk of spreading pests and diseases across borders, making prevention and early detection more important than ever.
As part of efforts to promote plant health, Perotti urged members of the public to adopt responsible practices that help reduce the spread of harmful organisms. He advised travellers against carrying plants, vegetables, fruits or soil across borders because such materials may harbour invisible pests and diseases.
“Don’t carry plants, vegetables, fruits or soil when travelling. These could harbour invisible pests and diseases,” he cautioned.
Perotti also urged consumers to be cautious when purchasing plants online, stressing the importance of checking the source of the products and confirming whether phytosanitary certification is required before importing them.
He further called on governments, institutions and stakeholders in the agriculture sector to invest in stronger plant protection systems and awareness campaigns aimed at safeguarding food security and biodiversity.
“Biosecurity is not an option. It is our shared responsibility,” he emphasized.
The International Day of Plant Health is observed annually to raise awareness about the importance of protecting plants from pests and diseases that threaten food production, trade and ecosystems worldwide.
Perotti’s remarks were supported by Yurdi Yasmi, who also stressed the need for collective global action in preventing the spread of plant pests and diseases.
The observance comes at a time when climate change, increased trade and movement of goods continue to heighten the risk of pest outbreaks, underscoring the need for stronger international cooperation in protecting plant health and ensuring food security for future generations.
By: Samuel Mwangi
