Defra

Growers and gardeners are invited to comment on the pest risk analyses (PRA), which are carried out by the Central Science Laboratory or other experts, on new threats to our crops, gardens and wild plants.

Every year a number of significant new pest or disease risks are identified, as a result of findings in other countries or interceptions by Defra’s Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors on imported plants and produce. Comments are invited on the best risk management options: whether there should be any statutory controls and if so what those should be.

The results of these consultations will be taken into account in Defra’s action against interceptions and outbreaks and in our requests to the EC’s Standing Committee on Plant Health, and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) for any changes we think are needed to plant health rules across Europe.

Anyone who would like to be sent an e-mail when new pest risk analyses are loaded onto the website, should send their e-mail address to plantpestsrisks@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

Please use this address to send any comments on the PRAs or any other aspect of this exercise.