Plant Health Glossary

A

ALOP (Appropriate Level of Protection): This term originates from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). It describes the level of protection deemed appropriate by any WTO member in establishing sanitary or phytosanitary measures to protect human, animal, or plant life or health within its territory. The term can also be referred to as the ‘acceptable level of risk’. The Plant Health Management Standard adapts the principle of ALOP and applies it to an organisation’s site(s) and operations.

APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency): Body responsible for regulating plant health in England and Wales

B

Biosecurity: Biosecurity refers to the measures and practices that can be used to reduce the risk of introducing and/or spreading harmful organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and invasive species, to protect human, animal, and plant health.

C

D

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs): Government department responsible for plant health policy in England and Wales.

E

Endemic Pest: A pest that is established in a region and not regulated

EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation): Sets regional plant health standards.

Export Certification: Official checks that are needed before plants are sent abroad

F

FRM (Forest reproductive material): Fruits, seeds and cones; all parts of plants obtained by vegetative propagation including embryos; and plants produced from any of these.

G

H

Hygiene & Housekeeping Rules/Protocols: Day to day tasks such as regular cleaning of tools, footwear, equipment and vehicles that are aimed at minimising the risk of introducing or spreading plant pests and diseases

I

Import Controls: Checks on plants coming into a country

IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention): Global agreement to prevent spread of pests.

ISPM15 international standard: This standard describes phytosanitary measures that reduce the risk of introduction and spread of quarantine pests associated with the movement in international trade of wood packaging material made from raw wood. Wood packaging material covered by this standard includes dunnage but excludes wood packaging made from wood processed in such a way that it is free from pests (e.g. plywood). Solid wood packaging must meet the ISPM15 international standard if you use it to import goods into Great Britain

J

K

L

M

N

Notifiable pest/disease: Any non-native pest or disease that must be reported to the relevant plant health authority as they have the potential to cause significant damage to our trees, crops, gardens and wider countryside.

NPPO (National Plant Protection Organisation): Official body in each country responsible for plant health.

O

OHAS (Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Scheme): A business assurance scheme operated by the Horticultural Trades Association and developed specifically for the horticulture trade. The scheme incorporates a range of best practices covering business organisation and management, health and safety, product traceability, plant health and biosecurity, environmental and business sustainability parameters, staff management, training, and welfare, and more.

P

Pathogen: A microorganism that causes disease (fungus, bacteria, virus).

Phytosanitary Certificate (PC): A Phytosanitary Certificate is a statement from the plant health authority that the consignment:

• has been officially inspected or tested, or both
• complies with legal requirements for entry into Great Britain
• is free from quarantine pests and diseases

Phytosanitary certificates are required for importing most plants, seeds, and wood products into the UK from non-EU countries, and for some regulated, higher risk plants from the EU.

Plant Passport (PP): A Plant Passport is an official document needed to move plants and certain regulated wood within Great Britain. This includes:

• all plants for planting
• some seeds
• seed potatoes
• wood and wood products
• isolated bark

Professional Operator: Someone who:

• regularly sells plants or plant products with a view to making a profit or earning commission from selling plants or plant products for other people or;
• clearly advertises plants and plant products as for sale to professional operators or;
• grows or produces plants or plant products to sell regularly with a view to making a profit or;
• is paid for a service (e.g. landscaping) provided relating to plants or plant products.

You may be considered to sell regularly with a view to making a profit if you:

1. Have a website or social media account devoted to trading plants or plant products or;
2. Have a price list for the plants or plant products you sell or;
3. If you advertise plants for sale on a regular basis

Q

Quarantine Pest: A pest not present (or limited) in an area and under official control.

R

Regulated Material: Plants or products that must meet legal plant health rules

S

SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture): Provides scientific support, testing, and advice on plant health, seeds, and pests in Scotland

Solid Wood Packaging Material (WPM): Solid wood packaging includes:

• packing cases
• boxes and crates
• drums and similar packing
• pallets, box pallets, pallet collars and other load boards
• dunnage (loose wood used to protect goods and their packaging)

SOPRA (Site and Operations Pest Risk Analysis): Nine step process to guide effective pest risk management

Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN): A Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) is a legally binding order issued by the relevant plant health authority when notifiable plant pests or diseases are found on your site. Recipients of an SPHN must follow the specific action stated on the SPHN in order to eradicate or contain the problem.

T

Traceability: The ability to track where plants came from and where they go

U

V

Volunteer plant: This is any plant that persists beyond the previous planted crop lifecycle. Such plants should be managed to minimise the risk of harbouring and subsequently spreading plant pests and diseases on and from the site.

W

X

Y

Z