Overall 26 Member States her European Unionfive countries in pre -tax regime and Switzerland participate in this year’s campaign #Planthealth4lifewhich is being held for the third consecutive year and finds Greece present.

In our country, the responsible body to coordinate the campaign is Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, which maintains its role National Authority (National Plant Protection Organization, NPPO).

As the Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, Spyros Protopsaltis noted in the Athens -Macedonian News Agency, Spyros Protopsaltis, Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, “The aim is to recall the importance of plants for life, health and the environment. We want to inform citizens of the dangers of diseases and harmful organizations and show that with daily practices we can all help protect them. “.

Through the campaign website (https://www.efsa.europa.eu/grel/plh4l), citizens are informed that the plant health is directly linked to food security, maintenance of biodiversityresistance to climate crisis and the support of the economy. The campaign points out that herbal enemies and diseases They can be moved with luggage or goods and cause serious losses in agricultural production and the natural environment.

“Protection of plants is the responsibility of all of us. For example, we should not carry plants, seeds or fruits from other countries without control. “.

Who is targeting the campaign this year

This year’s campaign emphasizes three main population groups:

  • Their travelerswho often, without knowing it, carry plants or seeds facilitating the dispersion of harmful organisms.
  • Their amateur cultivators and gardenerwhich show particularly sensitivity to plant health in gardens and balconies.
  • Their parentswho care about the quality of food and wish to convey environmental values ​​to the younger generations.

Common denominator for all of the above groups is that their choices directly affect the hearsay or the restriction of risks for plants.

As Mr. Protopsaltis points out, “The health of the plants is all of us, not just agronomists and producers. It depends on food security, the economy, the environment, the quality of life and even tourism ».

The importance of herbivory for society, economy & environment

In diet, the healthy plants They mean more and safer foods. In the economy, the diseases They lead to huge damage to agricultural crops and producer income. Environmentally, the introduction of foreign organisms threatens biodiversity and ecosystems. As far as the climatehealthy and durable plants best respond to the pressures of climate change, while contributing to the quality of the air, landscape and mental well -being.

Situation and risks in Greece

But what are the most important risks to vegetable production in Greece?

According to Mr. Protopsaltis, the European legislation It records over 250 harmful quarantine organizations, of which 20 are a priority.

In our country they have already been identified and are under treated or monitored:

  • The insect spodoptera frugiperda It affects corn, cotton, rice and vegetables.
  • THE Citrus Virus Tristeza Virus causing catastrophes in citrus fruits.
  • THE fungus Ceratocystis Platani which has destroyed hundreds of plane trees in the Peloponnese and Central Greece.

At the same time, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food is applying systematic surveillance and prevention programs for timely detection and combating new threats, such as the well -known bacterium Xylella fastidiosa – Although not yet identified in Greece, it is considered a great risk to olives and other crops, according to examples of Italy and Spain.

The role of safeguarding agricultural production remains the role of Department of Crop Production Protection. Through a national surveillance network, controls at the points of entry and the market, and with coordination of operational plans, the protection of plant capital is achieved. Integrated methods of plant protection, agricultural warnings, quality control of plant protection products and food residues ensure the movement of quality and safe agricultural products.

“In a nutshell, we shield Greek agriculture and protect the consumer”emphasized Mr. Protopsaltis.

T. Papakostas