TCI News
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLANT HEALTH OBSERVANCE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 10th May, 2024 – International Day of Plant Health will be celebrated on the 12th May under the theme “plant health, safe trade and digital technology”. The Department of Agriculture joins the international community in the celebrations that seek to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic growth.
Safe trade and plant health
Plants and plant products can carry pest and diseases. Therefore, the movement of plant and plant materials can result in pest and diseases being transmitted between countries during trade.
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), an international standard setting body, has developed standards (rules) to guide countries in the safe trade of plant and plant products based on the risk of plant pest and diseases being transmitted.
The use of modern tools, data monitoring and analytics, and data-driven solutions in agriculture assist in improving farming systems, increase crop quality and yield, reduce waste and manage pests and diseases.
We can all play a role in ensuring that we use healthy planting materials, follow planting guidelines, use farming technology if and when needed and adhere to the guidelines for the safe movement of plants and plant products.
The Department will make public educational presentations to the general public on plant and animal health matter as we embrace the One Heath Approach. Please visit the Departments face Book page for more information.
Let us all take this opportunity to become aware of our actions towards the environment, to ensure that there is safe food for consumption, safe trade and the sustenance of economies and livelihoods.