National Plant Health Week

This year will be our third annual National Plant Health Week running from 6-12th May. National Plant Health Week is an annual designated week of action, taking place from 6th to 12th May 2024, to raise public awareness and engagement on how to keep our plants healthy. It is a collaborative effort by over 30 organisations across the UK who are committed to protect the health of our nation’s plants and trees. This year we are celebrating the importance of being a good plant health citizen.

By protecting plant health, we protect the benefits plants provide to all of us, to wildlife, the environment and our economy.

Why are our plants so important?

  • Plants feed us: 80% of the food we eat comes from plants.
  • Plants help us breathe plants produce 98% of the oxygen we breathe
  • Plants help fight climate change- trees are vital carbon sinks
  • Our plants also provide an annual value to our society of £15.7billion

But like people plants can become sick from pests and diseases, and we need your help to protect them.

Globalisation in trade and increased travel means threats to plant health are increasing.

In addition, climate change, and human activities, have altered ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and creating new opportunities for pests to thrive.

Protecting the UK from plants pests and diseases is far more cost effective than dealing with plant health outbreaks.

Government and the plant sector are leading the way, and taking actions to address these threats, but we all have an important role to play in keeping our plants healthy.

 


 

Find out fascinating facts about plants and discover how you can help protect our plants with Izzy the Inspector!


There’s a fab activity book jam-packed with fascinating plant health facts and fun activities that you can download too…

 

 

"PROTECTING PLANTS,
PROTECTING LIFE"

Plant Health Action will help protect
and enhance plant life for future generations!

Photo by Alper Sentekin

There are lots of fantastic Plant Health events and activities taking
place - so check them out and get involved!