Global Agencies Mark Plant Health Day to Promote One Health

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Regional International Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA) jointly hosted a high-level event to mark the International Day of Plant Health, highlighting the link between plant protection and the One Health approach.

The event emphasized the role of plant health in safeguarding food security, biodiversity and economic development. Organized under the theme, The Importance of Plant Health in One Health, the initiative aims to raise awareness and prompt coordinated global action to mitigate crop losses and protect ecosystems.

Plants provide 80% of the global human diet, but up to 40% of crops are lost each year due to plant pests and diseases, according to FAO. The presence of harmful pathogens in plants can also lead to cross-species transmission, such as the bluetongue virus, which affects livestock and can lead to complications in humans.

FAO and IPPC are working to develop and implement globally harmonized phytosanitary standards to prevent the spread of pests through international trade. These efforts are supported by sustainable agricultural practices, integrated pest management, and enhanced surveillance technologies.

“We need all stakeholders to get involved. Governments and donors must invest in implementing standards and strengthening national plant health systems, legislation and capacity. By prioritizing plant health within the One Health approach, we can build a healthier and more sustainable future,” said Qu Dongyu, Director General, FAO.

“OIRSA is proud to partner with FAO and IPPC on this important day. We are committed to our shared goal of protecting plant health through innovation and technology,” said Raúl Antonio Rodas, Executive Director, OIRSA. 

The commemoration is part of FAO’s 80th anniversary year, marked by a series of initiatives focused on advancing global food security. The International Day of Plant Health serves as a platform to reinforce the central role of plant protection in achieving the goals of sustainable agriculture and safe trade.