Plants are the source of the air we breathe and most of the food we eat.

Protecting Plant Health is about more than just plants.

The United Nations has designated 12 May as the International Day of Plant Health to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development.

This special day is the opportunity for the whole Plant Health community to show how essential plants are to all other living organisms on Earth. Plants provide oxygen, food, shelter, and many other services. Healthy plants are vital to sustainable agricultural and horticultural production. Without them we would not be able to enjoy green spaces, forests and natural landscapes.

Protecting Plant Health is more than just protecting plants. It is also protecting animal and human health.

Here are 5 reasons why we need to keep our plants healthy

• Provide nutritious food
• Improve soil fertility
• Supply clean water and air
• Help mitigate climate change
• Protect diversity

We can all play a part in this and celebrate every year ‘Plant Health’.

The introduction and spread of plant pests, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and insects, among food crops, natural vegetation and landscape plants is a serious threat that can have far-reaching economic, social and environmental consequences. Plant pests are often introduced to areas previously unaffected through plant imports. In Europe, protective measures against the introduction of new plant pests are based on regulatory controls on the movement of plants and plant products.

EU rules on plant health aim to protect crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamentals and forests from harmful pests and diseases (quarantine pests) by preventing their introduction into the EU or their spread within the EU.