PURPOSE: Healthy plants constitute the foundation for all life on Earth, as well as ecosystem functions, food security and nutrition. Plant health is key to the sustainable development of agriculture required to feed a growing global population by 2050. Protecting plant health is essential by promoting environmentally friendly practices such as integrated pest management. International standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) in trade also help prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests across borders.

 FORUM: "Healthy plants can help to end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development." International Day of Plant Health 2023. The FAO is calling on everyone to raise awareness and take action to keep our plants healthy and help protect the environment and biodiversity. Plants are life– we depend on them for 80% of the food we eat and 98% of the oxygen we breathe. But international travel and trade has been associated with the introduction and spread of plant pests. Invasive pest species are one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss and threaten the delicate web of life that sustains our planet. Pests and diseases have also been associated with rising temperatures which create new niches for pests to populate and spread. In response, the use of pesticides could increase, which harms pollinators, natural pest enemies and organisms crucial for a healthy environment. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #PlantHealth, #12May, #PlantHealthDay.

EVENTS: A Hybrid Event held by the FAO on May 12th, from 13:30 to 15:30 CET to mark the International Day of Plant Health 2023. Explore the map of worldwide events, Register to participate and Get the Programme Agenda. For further information send an email to IDPH@fao.org.