Plant health

To guard against the spread of harmful organisms, official controls apply to the:

• import;
• movement; and,
• keeping of certain plants, plant pests and other material.

Plant Health policies and regulation are designed to prevent the introduction or spread of serious plant pests and diseases, which threaten agriculture and the environment. They also ensure as far as possible that markets in agricultural produce are not adversely affected by plant health problems.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA’s) Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI) operate in Wales on the Welsh Government's behalf. PHSI ensures enforcement of the Welsh plant health and seeds regulations.

The Welsh Government, in partnership with the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) and Forestry Commission, is currently monitoring and where necessary controlling Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae. Phytophthora ramorum causes dieback of plants such as Rhododendron and Vaccinium (blueberry) species, as well as the death of Japanese Larch trees which are commonly found in forestry plantations.

Following sampling by the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate during 2006, a section of the River Teifi (Cardigan Bridge to Llanfair Clydogau) was designated as infected with Ralstonia solanacearum: the bacteria which causes Potato Brown Rot.  Under the Plant Health (Wales) Order 2007, the affected area of the River Teifi has been demarcated as a control zone for Potato Brown Rot.  Accordingly, a Statutory Notice was published in the local press on 28 and 29 March 2007.  In addition, since 31 March 2007 there has been a prohibition notice on the abstraction of water for the irrigation of potatoes or tomatoes from the affected zone.  Further information about Potato Brown Rot is available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website (external link).

Email: Planthealthandbiotech@wales.gsi.gov.uk