Biosecurity for Gardens and Parks

David Slawson

Back to presentations: Pests and diseases on trees and shrubsDr David Slawson, Head of Pest & Disease Identification Programme at Food & Environment Research Agency spoke next on Biosecurity for Gardens & Parks. He explained how we can protect ourselves by taking reviewing basic hygiene and quarantine measures. The National Trust, for example, has developed Plant Quarantine & Biosecurity Guidance Notes covering:-

• Sourcing Plants
• Handling brought-in plants and Quarantine areas – general advice
• Handling incoming plants and Quarantine areas – for gardens of significant plant collections and the Plant Conservation programme
• Use of Phytophthora Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs)
• Cleaning footwear and hands
• Managing gardens to reduce the risk of pests & diseases
• Guidance for visitors on how to help us to protect the garden from introduced pests and diseases

David gave an overview of Garden management approaches to Plant culture; Infrastructure; Hygiene; Water and Waste. He discussed the importance of Training and Monitoring, which hade the major benefit that Prevention is better than cure; Fewer pests and diseases lead to less damage to gardens; Less need for costly eradication action; Fewer ‘escapes’ into the environment; A smaller carbon foot print – reduced air/sea miles if plants are sourced locally; More buoyant gardens and rural economy (e.g. local nurseries). He also showed the National Trust poster, Turning over a clean leaf, which is available as an A4 download.

Lastly: Don’t panic! An outbreak is not the end of the World!