Policy paper

United Kingdom’s International Action Plan for Plant Health 2026 to 2030

Published 25 June 2026

Executive summary

Non-native plant pests, such as the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa and the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis, threaten the health of the UK’s plants. The likelihood of these pests being introduced into the UK has increased with the globalisation of trade and climate change. It is therefore important that we tackle this issue collaboratively at a worldwide scale. By enhancing plant biosecurity internationally, and utilising information and expertise from other countries, we will help to protect our plants here in the UK. 

The UK Plant Health Service has agreed 20 international ambitions to help protect our plants. These ambitions cover 5 main areas: global pest reporting; international standards and guidance; implementation, capacity development and market access; research and development; and international engagement. 

The ambitions are listed below: 

Global pest monitoring 

1. Support the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) objective of strengthening pest outbreak alert and response systems to communicate emerging pest risks

2. Collaborate with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) to augment the International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN)

3. Notify plant health risks in the International Natural Hazard Forward Look (INHFL)

International standards and guidance 

4. Support the IPPC objective of commodity and pathway specific standards, with accompanying diagnostic protocols, phytosanitary treatments and guidance

5. Support the IPPC objective of developing guidance on the use of third-party entities to perform phytosanitary actions such as treatments or inspections

6. Influence the development of European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) and IPPC standards, recommendations and guidance

Implementation, capacity development and market access 

7. Support the IPPC objective of harmonisation of electronic data exchange by implementing a global system for production and exchange of electronic phytosanitary certificate information by 2030

8. Support the IPPC objective of establishing a network of diagnostic laboratory services and diagnostic protocols to help countries identify pests in a more reliable and timely manner

9. Support the IPPC objective of the management of e-commerce and postal and courier pathways

10. Advance the plant health systems of other nations, including developing countries and our overseas territories

11. Establish markets and secure trading agreements with other countries

Research and development 

12. Support the IPPC objective of assessment and management of climate change impacts on plant health

13. Support the IPPC objective of global phytosanitary research cooperation to accelerate the development of science to support all regulatory phytosanitary activities

14. Engage in global research initiatives

International engagement 

15. Share approaches to tackling plant health risk through secondment of plant health professionals in other countries and organisations

16. Support the legacy of the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH)

17. Raise the profile of plant health in global One Health activities

18. Continue UK representation on IPPC and EPPO, and increase participation in WTO-SPS events

19. Strengthen the UK’s relationship with the QUADS+ countries Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand

20. Strengthen relations between the UK and Ireland

This document sets out in more detail how each of the 20 ambitions will be achieved over the next 5 years, outlining the activities which will be delivered by members of the UK Plant Health Service. The UK Plant Health Service is comprised of Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Forestry Commission. The UK Plant Health Service is supported by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and wider delivery bodies (for example, Fera Science Ltd and Forest Research). 

The activities described in this plan will be monitored and evaluated by the International Workstream, which is led by the Defra International Plant Health Policy team and is composed of members from Defra, APHA, Forestry Commission, and the devolved governments (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Formal progress reviews will be carried out every 12 months by the Defra Risk and Horizon Scanning team, with the first commencing in autumn 2026 and the final review carried out in autumn 2030.

Background

The likelihood of non-native plant pests being introduced into the UK has increased with the globalisation of trade, as the volume and diversity of plants, plant products and other objects entering the UK has grown. Currently, around 18.6 million tonnes of plants and plant material are imported into the UK every year (Defra, 2022). The likelihood of pests being introduced has also increased with climate change, as the climate of the UK has become more suitable for the establishment and spread of non-native species and new trade pathways have opened up due to global changes in plant distribution and production. The poleward expansion of many pests and pathogens has been noted since 1960 (Bebber, Ramotowski and Gurr, 2013), with one example being the pine processionary moth, which has moved northward in Europe as winter temperatures have increased (Battisti and others, 2005) and is now threatening to spread into the UK.

It is therefore important that we tackle this issue at a worldwide scale. By enhancing plant biosecurity internationally, and utilising information and expertise from other countries, we will help to protect plants and trees here in the UK.

This is recognised in the GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy, which notes that international activities and representation are essential to our ability to monitor and assess risk, surveillance of the spread of pests, and our readiness for an outbreak (Defra, 2023). The UK Biological Security Strategy also highlights the importance of supporting the IPPC in developing a global pest alert system and for the UK to be a leading voice in the IPPC and EPPO (Cabinet Office, 2023).

In 2022, the UK Plant Health Service developed a UK International Action Plan for Plant Health with ambitions across 5 areas:

Global pest monitoring

Plant pests are regularly spreading within and between continents, and it is important that we can track their spread accurately and quickly to make necessary changes to our phytosanitary arrangements.

International standards and guidance

International and regional standards and guidance produced by the IPPC, Regional Plant Protection Organisations (RPPOs) and other regional bodies have an influence over the behaviour of National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs). By being involved in the development of these standards and guidance, we can seek to strengthen them so that they reflect our shared values and achieve the best outcomes.

Implementation, capacity development and market access

The likelihood of plant pests entering the UK is in part influenced by the plant health biosecurity of other countries. If plant pests can enter and spread in other countries, the number of pathways into the UK potentially increases and the pest pressure on those pathways rises. By supporting the implementation of plant health regulations, and developing capacity, in other countries, we help to protect the health of plants abroad and those in our own country. Improving plant health biosecurity in other countries also allows us to establish markets and secure trade agreements.

Research and development

The UK is a world leader in science and research, and it is looking to develop its science expertise even further and cement the country as a ‘science superpower’. In the area of plant health, we face a number of complex, transboundary issues which need strong international partnerships to solve them. Widening our reach and growing our reputation in science and research will also create further opportunities for collaboration.

International engagement

The UK is respected internationally for maintaining high standards and for the depth and quality of its technical expertise. It is important that this continues in plant health and that we grow our international reputation even further to ensure we are involved in relevant global conversations and can influence the behaviour of others.

Key achievements since 2022

The previous UK International Action Plan for Plant Health set out several activities to meet the ambitions. Listed below are some of the key outcomes from these activities:

Global pest monitoring

The UK has developed a coordinated pest reporting mechanism to meet national reporting obligations under the IPPC and has submitted several pest outbreak reports to EPPO and the IPPC, including for Tobamovirus fructirugosum (tomato brown rugose fruit virus), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado beetle) and Cryphonectria carpinicola (hornbeam decline).

Through participation as vice-chair on the IPPC Pest Outbreak Alert and Response System (POARS) Steering Group, the UK has contributed to the development of POARS. The aim of the system is to create a global pest alert system with mechanisms to evaluate and communicate emerging pest risks, providing regular information to NPPOs on changes in pest status around the world. NPPOs will be able to use this to quickly adapt their phytosanitary systems to reduce the risk of introduction and spread. In the case of outbreaks, strengthened pest outbreak response systems and tools developed by POARS will help countries take more timely action.

The ISPN, which provides an early warning system for quarantine pests and potential new risks, has expanded to over 100 botanic gardens and arboreta. Specific surveillance programmes have been carried out in Eastern Europe to monitor for Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer) and generic surveillance has been carried out elsewhere, including in Australia and New Zealand.

The UK Plant Health Service has started contributing to the INHFL. The INHFL provides information on global weather, volcanic, human, animal health and plant health events and their likely impacts. The aim of the INHFL is to improve situational awareness of decision makers across government, thus allowing the UK government to be more anticipatory in its response to natural hazards and to reduce the impacts of future disasters. 

International standards and guidance

The UK has participated on the Technical Panel on Commodity Standards (TPCS) as global steward and more recently as a European representative. The TPCS is responsible for drafting commodity standards, which identify pests associated with commodities and describe options for relevant phytosanitary measures. In so doing, these standards will support the development of phytosanitary import requirements that are technically justified and facilitate safe trade. The first commodity standard, on mango fresh fruit, was adopted at the 19th Session of the Commission of Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) in March 2025. Further commodity standards are being developed.

Through participation on an IPPC Focus Group, the UK played a significant role in the development and drafting of the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020 to 2030 Development Agenda Items Overarching Implementation Plan. This plan sets out the milestones and activities for the 8 development agenda items of the Strategic Framework, and how the work should be sequenced and monitored. 

The UK has contributed to the development of international courses and training material, including a surveillance and reporting obligations e-learning course, a phytosanitary inspection e-learning course, and an emergency preparedness guide.

The UK has provided comments on many EPPO and IPPC standards, guides, specifications, diagnostic protocols, phytosanitary treatments, and pest risk analyses.

Implementation, capacity development and market access

The UK contributed to the development of a sustainable funding mechanism for e-phyto. This funding mechanism is currently being rolled out. The IPPC ePhyto solution enables countries to produce, send, and receive harmonized electronic phytosanitary certificates with other participating NPPOs through the ePhyto Hub in a secure, low cost, timely, and efficient manner. 

The UK has participated in a range of diagnostic groups, resulting in information sharing and collaborative research projects, some of which have led to published scientific papers.

The Bulking and Sampling Committee updated and published an International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Handbook on Seed Sampling and the Seed Health Committee published an ISTA Handbook on Seed Health Testing.

The UK has provided support to Ghana, Kenya and Zambia to develop their own plant pest risk registers.

30 high risk plant commodities have been approved for export to the EU, with other high risk plant dossiers submitted and going through the review and approval process.

The UK’s international technical assistance strategy was agreed in December 2023 and sets out the preferred approach we should take for future assistance activities. In brief, the UK will aim to develop its relationship with other bodies who have carried out, and are carrying out, capacity building initiatives and join up with their projects. This approach will look to make meaningful, long-term (legacy) changes to other countries’ plant health systems. As part of the strategy, a country prioritisation exercise was undertaken. Developing countries were compared using several criteria, including pest interceptions, alignment with other Defra strategies and safety.

Several projects have been carried out in the UK Overseas Territories, including a plant pest identification service, invasive ant monitoring, and plant pathogen identification and gut metabarcoding of invasive wasps and mantids in Saint Helena; ant biosecurity training and trial of ant chemical control in Ascension Island; provision of technical advice on surveillance, monitoring and trial control of invasive fire ant species in Montserrat; and provision of a management plan for the control of fire ants and a diagnostic key to the ants of the Caribbean overseas territories.

Following a ban on exports of UK potatoes introduced by the Canary Islands in August 2023 after an outbreak of Colorado beetle in the UK (England), Defra teams, including the Plant Health International Policy team assisted by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) colleagues in Madrid and SASA, engaged with the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) to develop a solution to the issue. Provided all consignments met a specific set of requirements, the export of UK potatoes to the Canary Islands were allowed to recommence at the end of September 2023. 

The International Biological Security Programme (IBSP) agreed to contribute £1.2 million to the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP). The APP is an initiative of the IPPC Secretariat and the African Union Commission on Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE). It aims to strengthen the resilience of Africa’s phytosanitary systems against plant pests of regulatory, economic and environmental significance. The APP seeks to boost the technical capacity of Africa’s plant-health professionals by providing training, encouraging collaboration, leveraging resources, and enhancing knowledge sharing to prevent and manage the impact of plant pests in the region. 

The UK carried out audits of the Dutch and Italian phytosanitary systems. There were significant concerns over the risk to the UK and that the control measures being implemented were not effectively mitigating this risk. The audits were an important opportunity to work with the NPPOs and industry to gain a greater understanding of why controls were not working as effectively as they should, to identify issues and develop solutions to minimise the risk of pests entering the UK.  

Research and development

Defra and the Scottish Government have participated on the Euphresco Network Management Group. Euphresco is a network of organisations that fund research projects and coordinate national research in the phytosanitary area.  

Defra and the Scottish Government have contributed over £230,000 per year to many Euphresco projects.  

The UK participated as chair of the IPPC Climate Change Focus Group. In September 2025 the group hosted 2 webinars on the theme of plant pests and climate change following on from successful webinars in 2024. The group have also drafted factsheets on the impact of climate change on some key global pests.

International engagement

The UK was awarded 2 EPPO Jens-Georg Unger Plant Health Fellowships. One was to conduct a commodity risk assessment on blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the other was to draft a Rapid Pest Risk Analysis for beech leaf disease (BLD) caused by the foliar nematode Litylenchus crenatae mccannii at the United States Department of Agriculture in their Raleigh offices in North Carolina.

Membership of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) platform for communicating interchange opportunities increased by 100 people (225%) in a year.

The UK attended the Colorado beetle survey in 2023 and developed a presentation with photos to aid inspectors when surveying potato fields, allotments and private gardens as part of the outbreak in Kent. 

National Plant Health Week has been an annual designated week of action to raise public awareness and engagement on how to keep our plants healthy. It is a collaborative effort by over 30 organisations across the UK who are committed to protect the health of our nation’s plants and trees.

The inaugural International Plant Health Conference was hosted by the UK over three days in September 2022. The aim of the event was to provide a forum to discuss global scientific, technical and regulatory plant-health issues in a conference setting and at the same time advocate the importance of plant health to the media and general public. Day 1 of the conference was on the theme of food security, day 2 on environmental protection, and day 3 on safe trade. Over 500 delegates from 74 countries attended and there were 120 speakers and facilitators across 18 symposia and side events.

The UK contributed to the development of the IPPC Communications Strategy 2023-2030, which was adopted at CPM-17. The communications strategy aims to guide communications of the CPM and the IPPC community. It serves as a roadmap for the IPPC Secretariat and its primary stakeholders, including NPPOs, RPPOs, donors and IPPC partners (industry, academia and international organisations).

The UK drafted a paper to raise awareness of the One Health concept and integrate One Health into IPPC activities. This was presented to the Strategic Planning Group in 2022, and there were follow up discussions on One Health at CPM-17.

The UK joined the QUADS, now named QUADS+, joining Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America (USA). This group encourages the sharing of information and views on global plant health issues.

A UK representative became the chair of the CPM and CPM Bureau. The CPM serves as the IPPC’s governing body and is responsible for reviewing the state of plant protection around the world; identifying action to control the spread of pests into new areas; developing and adopting international standards; establishing rules and procedures for resolving disputes; adopting guidelines for the recognition of RPPOs; and cooperating with international organisations on matters covered by the IPPC.  

A webinar on international engagement was organised by the International Plant Health Policy team and Risk and Horizon Scanning team. During the webinar, a range of speakers spoke about their experiences of participating in international groups, panels and other activities. The practicalities of international participation and opportunities to get involved were also discussed. 

The EPPO Panel on communications presented a webinar on communication, which included talks from the UK, to a global audience of over 240 people.  

A Heads of Laboratories workshop was held in Estonia in March 2025. This included presentations from Fera Science Ltd staff and Fera also facilitated one of the discussion groups.  

The UK has participated in many EPPO and IPPC panels and groups, as well as several conferences, including the 12th International Congress of Plant Pathology in 2023.

Scope

This plan will consider the 5 areas from the previous plan, namely global pest reporting; international standards and guidance; implementation, capacity development, and market access; research and development; and international engagement. It will also include many of the same ambitions, but with updated and new activities.

Delivery

Under the IPPC, the UK is required to establish a NPPO, which is responsible for a range of activities, including phytosanitary certification, surveillance, pest risk analysis, and risk management. Defra represents the UK as the NPPO in international and European forums. The four UK governments host regular official meetings via the NPPO in order to co-ordinate policy and regulations, in accordance with the Provisional UK Common Framework on Plant Health.

The activities that the NPPO is responsible for are carried out by the UK Plant Health Service, and members of this Service will lead on and deliver the UK’s International Action Plan for Plant Health 2026 to 2030. These members will be part of groups that are core to delivery and will be supported by groups inside and outside the UK Plant Health Service.

Ambitions

As described in the scope, there are 5 main areas of consideration in the international action plan: global pest reporting; international standards and guidance; implementation, capacity development, and market access; research and development; and international engagement. Under each of these areas, there are 20 ambitions, and the plans for these have been laid out in the form of a benefit statement and a description of the UK’s activities.

Global pest monitoring

Plant pests are regularly spreading within and between continents, and it is important that we can track their spread accurately and quickly to make necessary changes to our phytosanitary arrangements.

1. Support the IPPC objective of strengthening pest outbreak alert and response systems (POARS)

Benefit statement

A global system with mechanisms to evaluate and communicate emerging pest risks will be developed, providing regular information to NPPOs on changes in pest status around the world. NPPOs will be able to use this to quickly adapt their phytosanitary systems to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of plant pests. Tools and networks will also be developed to support NPPOs and RPPOs prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emerging pests.

UK activities

The UK will support the POARS through timely reports of outbreaks to EPPO, the IPPC and relevant countries. To ensure these reports are carried out efficiently, a coordinated approach has been developed and agreed between relevant teams.

The UK will influence the direction and delivery of the POARS by providing feedback to the POARS Steering Group via the EPPO Global Phytosanitary Affairs Panel. This will include feedback on the work of the expert working group to develop practical tools, guidance, and training materials for Rhizoctonia theobromae.

2. Collaborate with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) to augment the IPSN.

Benefit statement

The IPSN will facilitate collaboration between botanic gardens, arboreta, NPPOs and plant health scientists. By working together, these institutes will be able to provide an early warning system regarding known quarantine organisms and potential new risks.

UK activities

The UK will support the IPSN in:

• strengthening a network of botanic gardens in Eastern Europe involved in surveying and trapping for emerald ash borer
• gathering information on the susceptibility of selected UK host species to pests found outside the UK
• surveying UK botanic garden collections for plant pests of concern
• deploying and assessing an analytical tool designed to support the systematic identification of pathways through which pests and pathogens may enter and spread within the horticultural sector
• communicating outputs to IPSN members and producing organism and host plant resources

3. Notify plant health risks in the INHFL

Benefit statement

The aim of the INHFL system is to progress understanding of evolving situations overseas involving natural hazards and the latest public health intelligence (for example extreme weather events; earthquakes and volcanoes; and emerging human, animal and plant pests and diseases) to provide timely situational awareness to incidents or outbreaks occurring globally thereby allowing UK government departments and their partners to be more anticipatory for example with respect to emergency aid, resulting in earlier decision making and reducing the impacts of hazards.

UK activities

The UK will continue to horizon scan for relevant plant health risks for inclusion in the INHFL system.

International standards and guidance

International and regional standards and guidance produced by the IPPC, RPPOs and other regional bodies have an influence over the behaviour of NPPOs. By being involved in the development of these standards and guidance, we can help to strengthen them, ensuring they reflect our shared values to achieve the best outcomes.

4. Support the IPPC objective of commodity-specific standards, with accompanying diagnostic protocols, phytosanitary treatments and guidance

Benefit statement

International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) for specific commodities, with accompanying diagnostic protocols and phytosanitary treatments to support implementation, will be adopted and implemented. These standards will support NPPOs in developing phytosanitary import requirements where measures are technically justified to facilitate safe trade.

UK activities

The UK will support the drafting of commodity standards and guidance through participation on the TPCS and through the review of standards and guidance on the EPPO Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs.

5. Support the IPPC objective of developing guidance on the use of third-party entities to perform phytosanitary actions such as treatments or inspections

Benefit statement

Countries wanting to use third parties will have access to harmonized resources to support them to do this in an effective manner with the necessary management processes and controls. A standard has been adopted and gives guidance on the use of third-party entities to perform various phytosanitary actions, such as treatments, inspections and pest diagnosis. The standard ensures that, when governments choose to take this option, the actions continue to be carried out to the same standard and level of phytosanitary security.

UK activities

The UK will consider participation on the expert working group to produce the guide.

6. Influence the development of EPPO and IPPC standards, recommendations and guidance

Benefit statement

Under the WTO-SPS agreement, countries are encouraged to establish plant health measures that are consistent with international standards and guidance, particularly those in relation to the IPPC. By commenting on and amending these standards and guidance, we can influence other countries plant health measures.

UK activities

The UK will influence standards, recommendations and guidance through timely and considered comments to EPPO and the IPPC. To ensure these comments are carried out efficiently, a streamlined approach to commenting will be developed and agreed between relevant teams. The UK will also influence the development of IPPC standards and guidance through participation on focus groups and future participation on the IPPC Implementation and Capacity Development Committee and IPPC Standards Committee. In parallel with this, the UK will engage in further conversations about simplifying international standards, which was a topic introduced by New Zealand and which has been discussed with QUADS+ countries, the EPPO Global Phytosanitary Affairs Panel, the IPPC Strategic Planning Group and CPM. The development of EPPO standards and guidance will be influenced through participation on relevant panels and expert working groups. The UK will continue to follow the IPPC standards, ensuring they are considered for all plant health activities.

Implementation, capacity development and market access

The likelihood of plant pests entering the UK is in part influenced by the plant health biosecurity of other countries. If plant pests can enter and spread in other countries, the number of pathways into the UK potentially increases and the pest pressure on those pathways rises. By supporting the implementation of plant health regulations, and developing capacity, in other countries, we help to protect the health of plants abroad and those in our own country. Improving plant health biosecurity in other countries also allows us to open up markets and secure trade agreements.

7. Support the IPPC objective of harmonisation of electronic data exchange by implementing a global system for production and exchange of electronic phytosanitary certificate information by 2030

Benefit statement

A global system for production and exchange of electronic phytosanitary certificate information will be fully operational and integrated at a country level into trade single windows. The system will be supported by a sustainable business model and will be self-funded, and there will be a significant global effort to implement it in all countries. Once integrated, the system will strengthen and simplify safe trade in plants and plant products, reducing transaction costs, expediting the clearance of compliant products and eliminating fraud.

UK activities

The UK will promote the use of the e-phyto system through participation on the EPPO e-phyto Expert Working Group, shaping the future governance arrangements of e-phytosanitary certification at the IPPC level, and by implementing the system in the UK.

8. Support the IPPC objective of establishing a network of diagnostic laboratory services and diagnostic protocols to help countries identify pests in a more reliable and timely manner

Benefit statement

An international network of diagnostic laboratory services will provide reliable and timely pest identifications. National laboratories with strong diagnostic functions are officially recognised as capable of offering reliable services within regions or globally, reducing the need for all countries to develop duplicated capacity.

UK activities

The UK will support the establishment of regional and global diagnostic networks by reviewing activities of the IPPC Focus Group on Diagnostic Laboratory Networking. These reviews will be coordinated through the EPPO Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs.  

The UK will continue to participate in relevant diagnostic networks, including those in EPPO and Euphresco.

9. Support the IPPC objective of the management of e-commerce and postal and courier pathways

Benefit statement

A coordinated international effort will substantially reduce the spread of pests and pest host material sold through e-commerce and distributed through mail and courier pathways. Volumes of high-risk plant material traded online in small quantities and shipped via courier pathways will be sourced from authorized or accredited plant-health export programmes, and compliance will be tracked and enforced in collaboration with other border agencies, the international postal services and courier services.

UK activities

The UK will support this development agenda item globally through participation on the IPPC E-commerce network.

The UK will also aspire to manage e-commerce, postal and courier pathways domestically by developing a process for external companies dealing in e-commerce, postal and courier material; and developing effective communications with private individuals/small businesses who trade in high-risk material via the internet.

10. Advance the plant health systems of other nations, including developing countries and our overseas territories

Benefit statement

Providing technical assistance to other countries can lead to better global pest reporting, implementation of international standards and guidance, and aid market access for the UK and those receiving assistance.

UK activities

Following agreement of the International Technical Assistance Strategy and country prioritisation exercise, the UK will provide support to countries, including developing countries and UK overseas territories through a range of technical assistance projects. To improve coordination of this, a short-term project in APHA will:

• establish an internal framework for coordination and implementation of the delivery of plant health technical assistance activities by the UK Government, including coordination with International Biosecurity Programme plant health projects and a project selection process
• identify and detail potential IBSP projects, complementary to the International Action Plan for Plant Health and Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) priorities, based on the work carried out through the International Technical Assistance Strategy and previously funded projects
• collectively, the outcomes of these 2 strands will be used to develop a product which articulates the overlap between plant health and national security, and which can be used at international fora to demonstrate Defra group’s areas of interest

The UK will continue to provide a diagnostic service for invasive invertebrate plant pests and plant pathogens to all UK Overseas Territories.

Building on the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) biosecurity gap analysis, additional technical assistance activities will be explored, including raising awareness of the IPPC POARS, training on inspection and surveillance, provision of support on pest management and legal considerations, and setting up placements in the UK.

11. Establish markets and secure trading agreements with other countries

Benefit statement

The availability and diversity of plants and plant products in the UK and other countries will be increased through the establishment of trade agreements with other countries.

UK activities

The UK will secure trade agreements for plant and horticultural products internationally, promoting the importance of maintaining high biosecurity and food security. As part of this process, the UK Plant Health Service will:

• continue to participate in cross department trade forums to identify any opportunities/issues that may arise within different international regions
• work with agricultural attachés to develop markets for UK plant and horticultural products in key regions
• continue to work with UK traders and industry representatives to identify potential markets, compile the necessary supporting documentation and submit market access requests
• continue to work with colleagues in the FCDO both within the UK and overseas within the High Commissions to identify import requirements for third countries, promote UK produce overseas, build relationships with relevant officials and counterpart organisations to progress applications and resolve any challenges which may arise
• challenge unjustified barriers to trade (including unjustified requirements for phytosanitary certificates)
• provide UK import requirements to third countries including undertaking in country audits as appropriate to assess phytosanitary risks and production standards

Research and development

The UK is a world leader in science and research, and it is looking to develop its science expertise even further and cement the country as a ‘science superpower’. In the area of plant health, we face a number of complex, transboundary issues. It is therefore important that we form strong international partnerships to solve them. Widening our reach and growing our reputation in science and research will also create further opportunities for collaboration. 

12. Support the IPPC objective of assessment and management of climate change impacts on plant health

Benefit statement

The impacts of climate change on plant health and the safe trade of plants and plant products will be evaluated, especially in relation to pest risk assessment and pest risk management issues; NPPOs will adapt to the changing risks; and phytosanitary issues will be adequately reflected in the international climate change debate under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These activities will align with the UK National Adaptation Plan for climate change.

UK activities

To raise awareness of climate change links to plant health and ensure these issues are integrated into ongoing IPPC programmes and workstreams, the UK will review plans at the Strategic Planning Group in 2026 and CPM in 2027.

13. Support the IPPC objective of global phytosanitary research cooperation to accelerate the development of science to support all regulatory phytosanitary activities  

Benefit statement

An analysis of international phytosanitary research structures and policies will be conducted to explore how far international coordination of plant health research could help countries to avoid overlap in research activities and to utilize research resources in the most efficient and effective manner. Possibilities for establishing an international phytosanitary research collaborative structure will be explored and, if appropriate, the structure will be established. 

UK activities

The UK will support the assessment and development of a global phytosanitary research coordination mechanism through participation on the EPPO Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs, with this Panel providing feedback on the work of the CPM Focus Group on Global Phytosanitary Research Coordination.

14. Engage in global research initiatives

Benefit statement

Membership of international research initiatives ensures UK Research and Development (R&D) is fully linked up with complementary research and benefits from access to cutting edge knowledge and techniques, which can then be applied in the UK.

UK activities

The UK will seek to collaborate with international R&D initiatives, such as Euphresco (a global network), and will demonstrate its scientific expertise by researchers on these projects publishing peer reviewed scientific papers. 

With respect to Euphresco, there will be a number of projects supported each year, with the Plant Health Evidence and Analysis (PHEA) team responsible for procuring new projects and managing existing projects. The Scottish Government also provides support for these projects.

International engagement

The UK is respected internationally for maintaining high standards and for the depth and quality of its technical expertise. It is important that this continues in plant health and that we grow our international reputation even further to ensure we are involved in relevant global conversations and can influence the behaviour of others. 

15.Share approaches to tackling plant health risk through secondment of plant health professionals in other countries and organisations

Benefit statement

Encouraging dialogue with plant health professionals from other countries ensures that the UK is involved in relevant global conversations and can influence the behaviour of others for the benefit of global plant biosecurity. 

UK activities

The UK will strengthen relationships with other countries and bodies through the Colorado Beetle Survey, the CPM and other opportunities that arise. 

16.Support the legacy of the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH)  

Benefit statement

The UK’s annual National Plant Health Week is a legacy output of IYPH and exists to raise awareness and build relationships around the importance of plant health and biosecurity. National Plant Health Week has been timed to support the proposed date of the International Day of Plant Health. The aim is to grow the visibility of, and participation in, National Plant Health Week by individuals and organisations year on year and in doing so boost the profile of the International Day of Plant Health. 

UK activities

Within National Plant Health Week, the UK Plant Health Service will provide a structure of themed days, with several events developed in collaboration with organisations working in the plant sector.  

17. Raise the profile of plant health in global One Health activities 

Benefit statement

One Health refers to 2 related ideas: First, it is the concept that the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment we live in are inextricably linked and interdependent. Second, it refers to the collaborative and sustained effort of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, regionally, and globally to attain optimal health for all living things and the ecosystem in which they co-exist. As the global population grows, food systems expand and our climate and land use change, our interactions with other organisms and the environment will become increasingly intertwined meaning a One Health approach is even more critical. A One Health approach looks to maintain this balance, addressing cross-cutting threats in a holistic fashion, with the potential to prevent disease outbreaks, provide sustainable food and appropriately address environmental hazards, supporting the security and resilience of all our global health systems. 

Plants are an important part of One Health, and it will be important for plant health to be engaged with One Health, to benefit from cross-team working and participate in relevant projects. 2 areas of significance for plant health include antimicrobial resistance and sustainable food systems.  

UK activities

The UK Plant Health Service will support One Health through participation on the Global One Health Collective, which is composed of members from across government and has an aim to further cross-departmental collaboration by providing opportunity to contribute to the development of One Health cross government policy and enhance the work of the Collective.

The UK will support the CPM Focus Group on Plant Health in the context of One Health through participation on the EPPO Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs, with this Panel providing feedback on the work of the CPM Focus Group.

18.Continue UK representation on IPPC and EPPO bodies, and increase participation in WTO-SPS events and other international fora.

Benefit statement

The IPPC is an intergovernmental treaty that has been signed up to by 185 countries, while EPPO is the RPPO for the European and Mediterranean Region and has 52 member countries, including the UK. Representation on IPPC and EPPO bodies enables the UK to influence the development of international and regional standards, guidance and recommendations, and learn from other countries’ experiences.

The WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures sets out the basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health standards. 

UK activities

The UK will continue to be engaged with most relevant panels and groups in the IPPC and EPPO and will participate in WTO-SPS thematic sessions where appropriate. Through this participation, the UK will support the development of standards, guidance and recommendations, as well as obtain intelligence from other countries. The UK will also feed into the development of the IPPC’s next Strategic Framework.

The UK will also foster and strengthen international cooperation and knowledge exchange within the Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK) Steering Group to improve the resilience and adaptation capacity of forests and the forest sector to future disturbances.

To ensure continuity of representation, training will be provided to the UK Plant Health Service on the various international groups and the value of participating on them. 

19. Strengthen the UK’s relationship with the QUADS+ countries Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand

Benefit statement

Improving the UK’s relationship with the QUADS+ countries will allow the UK to share and receive information with these countries and to better understand the position of the QUADS+ countries on international issues. The UK can be a conduit of information between the QUADS+ countries and EPPO countries. 

UK activities

As a member of QUADS+, the UK will continue to engage and strengthen its relationship with the other QUADS+ countries. The UK hosted and chaired the annual meeting of QUADS+ in 2026, chaired the QUADS Collaborative Working Group (QCWG) between April 2025 and March 2026 and will participate on many QCWG Projects.

20. Strengthen relations between the UK and Ireland

Benefit statement

Strengthening relations between the UK and Ireland forms an integral part of our awareness and assessment of international plant health risks impacting Ireland’s single epidemiological unit. Northern Ireland holds a unique position within the UK in that it shares a land border with an EU member state.

UK and Ireland activities

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) of Ireland and the UK’s Governments attend the UK and Ireland Plant Health Coordination Group meetings. DAERA also formally engages with DAFM Plant Health counterparts within the Plant Health strand of the North South Ministerial Council and both DAERA and DAFM report on shared progress towards protecting the single epidemiological unit across the island of Ireland. This involves a biannual meeting to report Plant Health risks, incidents and share contingency plans, simulation exercises and Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) positions.

Monitoring and evaluation plan

The activities described in this plan will be monitored and evaluated by the International Workstream, which is led by the Defra International Plant Health Policy team and is composed of members from Defra, APHA, Forestry Commission (FC), and the Devolved Governments. The international workstream reports to the UK NPPO Group, which provides oversight of the UK’s plant health programme.

Formal progress reviews will be carried out every 12 months by the Defra Risk and Horizon Scanning team, with the first commencing in November 2026 and the final review carried out in November 2030. These formal reviews will identify areas at risk and will recommend mitigations. Outside of these formal reviews, the Defra Risk and Horizon Scanning team will monitor the progress of the plan using an action log and will make recommendations to support the delivery of the international action plan where necessary.

References

Battisti, A., Stastny, M., Netherer, S., Robinet, C., Schopf, A., Roques, A. and Larsson, S. (2005) Expansion of geographic range in the pine processionary moth caused by increased winter temperatures. Ecological Applications. 15, 2084-2096

Bebber, M., Ramotowski, M. A. T. and Gurr, S. J. (2013) Crop pests and pathogens move polewards in a warming world. Nature Climate Change. 3, 985-988

Defra (2022) Plant Health – international trade and controlled consignments, 2017-2021 – experimental statistics publication. (viewed on 27 September 2025)

Defra (2023) Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain (2023 to 2028). (viewed on 27 September 2025

Cabinet Office (2023) UK Biological Security Strategy. (Viewed on 27 September 2025)