PURPOSE: Plants are life– we depend on them for 80% of the food we eat and 98% of the oxygen we breathe; 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. International standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) in trade help prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests across borders. Recently 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.

FORUM: “Plant biosecurity for food security and nutrition.” International Day of Plant Health 2026. Plants are a source of 80% of the human diet but plant pests and diseases destroy up to 40% of global crops every year, setting back efforts to provide food and nutrition to an increasingly hungry world. This year, we will talk about how:

• Plant biosecurity protects crops from pests and diseases before they spread. Plant biosecurity is about preventing the entry, establishment, and spread of harmful pests. Prevention is far more cost-effective than eradication.

• Healthy plants are the foundation of agricultural productivity and food security. Safeguarding crops ensures stable yields, stronger agricultural systems, and secure harvests, providing food for all. Healthy plants also help keep ecosystems thriving and protect biodiversity.

• Plant pests are increasing due to increased trade and travel. Trade and mobility increase the risk of accidental entry of pests across borders. Biosecurity measures, such as international plant health standards, help reduce these risks.

• We have a shared responsibility in keeping plants healthy for a zero-hunger world. Plant health depends on collective responsibility. Reporting unusual pests, using certified planting materials, and following quarantine rules all contribute.

·         A 50% increase in agricultural production is needed to feed the world by 2050. Protecting agricultural crops from pest outbreaks is paramount. (About | Plant Production and Protection | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ). Up to 40% of crops are lost annually, worth USD 220 billion, due to plant pests and diseases. More than 240 million sea containers are shipped between countries annually, carrying different kinds of goods, including plant products. Containers can potentially carry pests such as seeds, snails, slugs, soil, and other biosecurity risks on their interior or exterior.  Cleaning and inspecting sea containers can help mitigate the potential spread of plant pests. Some 80% of all shipments moving in international trade include some form of wood packaging material. Those made from raw wood present a phytosanitary risk as they can serve as a pathway for pest spread. Around 161 billion parcels, or 5 102 parcels per second, were shipped in 2022, raising the risk of plant pests moving across international. The FAO and the IPPC are taking action to develop and implement globally harmonized standards on plant health aimed to prevent the entry and spread of pests through international trade. FAO also promotes sustainable agricultural practices such as integrated pest management and the use of innovation and technology to enhance pest surveillance, response and management to prevent outbreaks.Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #PlantDiseases, #biosecurity, #ephyto, #PlantProtection, #PlantHealth, #12May, #PlantHealthDay.

EVENTS: On 12 May, from 10:00 to 11:00 am. CEST at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, a high-level Hybrid event will be held to mark the International Day of Plant Health 2026 hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA)‍; The panelists will reflect on the Economic perspectives on the return on investment in plant health infrastructure and biosecurity frameworks in first instance and in second instance they will discuss How successful phytosanitary measures protect food security and nutrition?; Register to participate; Explore the Agenda Programme; Join (Via Zoom) or Watch the (Live webcast)!

PUBLICATION: Brush up your knowledge on the topic through a selection of FAO titles highlighting the importance of plant health, and guidance documents on how to Get ready to celebrate the IDPH; Read the 2023 IDPH Impact Report and get the Activity book – Healthy plants, healthy planet!

STATEMENTS: “We need all stakeholders on board,” said Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General through a video message at the opening of the IDPH event. “Governments and donors must invest in implementing standards and in building national plant health systems, legislation and capacities. By prioritizing plant health within the One Health framework, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come”, he added.
“OIRSA is pleased to partner with FAO and IPPC on this important day”, said Raúl Antonio Rodas Suazo”, Executive Director of OIRSA. “We are committed to achieve our common goal to protect plant health through innovation and technology which we are demonstrating to the world today”, he added.