• • • 2020 declared International Year of Plant Health

• • • 2020 declared International Year of Plant Health

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness and inspiring people to learn more about plant health.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), plants make up 80% of the food we eat, and plant pests are responsible for the loss of up to 40% of global food crops, and for trade losses in agricultural products exceeding USD 220 billion annually. Plant breeding is a major driver to secure the availability of food by strengthening resistance to plant diseases, insects and with that reducing crop loss.

Moving plants and plant products, including seeds across borders may be risky as this may spread plant pests and diseases, causing great damage to native plants and the environment. Yet, the enforcement by the seed sector of the regulation on protective measures against pests of plants, in compliance with the International Plant Protection Convention and international standards, helps keeping trade in seeds safe without setting up unnecessary barriers.

Visit the IYPH website to know more.

Source: https://www.euroseeds.eu/news/2020-declared-international-year-of-plant-health/

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