RHS Plant Biosecurity: how we safeguard our gardens
Why biosecurity matters to us all, and how we can help keep new pests and diseases out
What does this target mean?
Global travel and trade has more than tripled in the last decade, leading to increased movement of organisms from their
The word ‘biosecurity’ means policies, processes and practical measures used to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms, such as those that cause plant diseases (e.g. fungi, bacteria, viruses, aphids, mites, plant parasitic nematodes) and
Going ‘Biosecurity Neutral’ is about minimising the risk of introducing and spreading unwanted pests, diseases and other invasive species to the UK, in order to protect our gardens and green spaces. As the UK’s gardening charity, the RHS is committed to greening Great Britain and helping gardeners adapt to a changing climate, so we look for ways to identify, mitigate and manage the risks, where appropriate, not just avoid them.
This commitment to go ‘Biosecurity Neutral’ builds on the RHS’ six plant health principles, published in 2017, which placed an emphasis on assessing plant health risks associated with our activities in advance and taking measures to mitigate them; balancing risk with horticultural benefits; and prioritising research, knowledge exchange and development of plant health skills.
What have we done so far?
- Created a dedicated biosecurity team who support and facilitate biosecurity best practice across our Gardens, retail centres, Shows and events
- Developed policies, procedures and guidance to promote better biosecurity practices across the Society’s plant-related activities
- Extended teaching and training of RHS staff, students, apprentices and volunteers in biosecurity and plant health practices
- Developed plant reception units (quarantine) at each of our Gardens, which we use to hold incoming plants and semi-mature trees in for a period of time, where they can be monitored and regularly inspected, prior to planting in RHS Gardens
- Piloted benchmarking our practices against a recognised national biosecurity standard, the Plant Health Management Standard, to help us drive the continual improvement we aim for
- RHS Harlow Carr became the first public garden in England to be Plant Healthy certified, in January 2023. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff, students and volunteers, RHS Hyde Hall and RHS Rosemoor are now also Plant Healthy certified – with RHS Wisley and RHS Bridgewater to follow soon
- Increased our involvement in National Plant Health Week to inspire, encourage and empower everyone and to improve the understanding of plant health and improve biosecurity practices in the UK
- We continue to engage with policymakers, in coordination with industry, to advocate for and ensure the sustainability of horticulture in the UK
What are we going to do next?
- We will continue to work towards Plant Healthy certification across all five RHS Gardens and contribute to the improvement of the certification scheme, encouraging the adoption of the Plant Health Management Standard across the horticulture supply chain in the UK.
- We will improve our resilience to biosecurity risks, by increasing preparedness for potential interceptions of unwanted organisms, and by undertaking research into sustainable management and control strategies for common pests and for pests not yet in the UK. This includes non-chemical plant protection products and new pest-resistant plant lines. We aim to engage, educate and raise public awareness around plant health and biosecurity risks in order to drive cultural change – for the benefit of people, plants, gardens and wildlife.
- The RHS will develop an overarching collections policy for our Gardens that understands the vulnerability of plants and plant collections in public gardens to pests and diseases, and emphasises the importance of safe sourcing and procurement, promoting more in-house propagation.
Why should gardeners care about this?
Maintaining healthy plants and gardens ensures that their climate,
For example, the total economic cost of ash dieback in Britain is estimated to be around £15 billion. An outbreak of Colorado Beetle in Kent, discovered in 2023 and currently under eradication, poses a significant threat to potato crops and to the UK potato industry, which is worth £1 billion per year.
An outbreak of Asian longhorn beetle in 2012 was successfully eradicated over a period of several years, at a cost of £1.9 million, with the loss of 2,229 trees. The management of invasive species costs the UK economy at least £2.2 billion every year, but often has wider impacts, too.
The RHS is on a mission. We want to empower the nation’s 30 million gardeners to green Great Britain and make it a better, healthier and happier place to live. To do this, to meet the UK’s commitment to increase woodland cover, and to achieve so many other targets safely, we all need to practice better biosecurity.
By changing the way we source, move and use plants and plant products, together we can make a massive difference and reduce the risks of introducing or spreading destructive plant pests. Plant health problems pose a potential threat not only to our gardens and parks, but also to food security and vital ecosystem services. If we all play our part to improve biosecurity, we can help to reduce threats like these. This means understanding and implementing good biosecurity practices and helping to monitor and report any suspected damaging plant pests, diseases and invasive species.
