Year 3 of #PlantHealth4Life: Empowering Every Citizen to Become a Plant Health Ambassador
Launched in May 2025 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Commission and numerous partners, the third edition of the #PlantHealth4Life campaign aims to actively involve citizens in protecting plant health.
Why Is This Campaign So Important?
Plants are the foundation of life. They provide 80% of our food, purify the air, feed livestock, and support biodiversity.
Climate change, travel, and international trade are accelerating the spread of pests and plant diseases. Xylella fastidiosa—which has destroyed millions of olive trees in southern Italy—is one striking example.
Such biological invasions have long-term consequences for agriculture, biodiversity, and local economies.
What’s New in This Third Edition?
After two years of momentum, #PlantHealth4Life is stepping up its efforts:
- European Expansion: Now involving 26 EU Member States, 5 candidate countries and Switzerland—10 new countries in 2025, including Austria.
- Increased Citizen Engagement: A strong focus on grassroots involvement through exhibitions at trade fairs, schools, and public events.
How Everyone Can Take Action
According to Sylvain Giraud (DG SANTE): “When citizens understand the vital role plants play… they become powerful drivers of change.”
Giuseppe Stancanelli (EFSA) adds that rigorous scientific assessment of plant health risks is essential to protect our environment, crops, and biodiversity.
Here’s how you can help protect plant health:
- Responsible Travellers: Avoid bringing back exotic plants or foreign seeds from abroad—take photos, not plants.
- Cautious Buyers: Make sure plants and seeds are certified, especially when ordering online from outside the EU.
- Citizen Gardeners: Choose local species, monitor for pests, and encourage children to become plant health ambassadors.
The #PlantHealth4Life campaign is entering its most ambitious phase yet, with intensified action, geographic expansion, and wide-scale public engagement. Every action matters: avoid introducing pests, choose healthy plants, and raise awareness around you. The goal is to turn every citizen into a plant health ambassador to help ensure a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Learn how to get involved and protect plants at the official #PlantHealth4Life campaign website:
