About the event

This plant health biosecurity training course for peatland restoration works aims primarily to prevent the introduction and spread of non-native / alien plant pests and pathogens.

Join experts from the Plant Health Centre to learn more about the risks of introducing unwanted organisms and work through the Plant Health Biosecurity Template.

Most plant pest biosecurity measures should also help prevent the spread of all unwanted organisms, e.g. Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) as well as diseases. All unwanted organisms, if introduced or spread further, have the potential to cause extensive damage to plant life and associated ecosystems, making robust biosecurity measures crucial for maintaining the health of plants that grow in semi-natural habitats and all other landscapes.

Every phase of the process for planned works needs to be assessed for biosecurity risks, this can include, for example: the planting of sphagnum mosses at restoration sites, the movement of people and tools and the movement of machinery between sites. There may be project specific factors to consider and this course aims to support peatland practitioners to develop an effective plant health biosecurity plan for their site(s) and projects.

The course is being delivered by Plant Health Centre, Scotland's Centre of expertise in plant health. https://www.planthealthcentre.scot/