International Year of Plant Health 2020 launched in Malta

by Gozo News · October 15, 2020

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo has launched the International Year of Plant Health 2020 in Malta, (IYPH 2020) together with major stakeholders from the local sector

For the first time in history a year dedicated to plant health was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in New York to raise awareness among the general public.

The UN said that today, up to forty percent (40%) of food worldwide is lost each year due to plant diseases. In economic terms, plant diseases alone cost about US $220 billion a year and about US $70 billion with invasive insects.

At the international level the United Nations General Assembly has invited the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) together with the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to serve as the the main agency for IYPH 2020.

Minister Refalo, speaking at the launch said that it is an honour for the Ministry to be an active part of IYPH 2020 by taking the opportunity to further improve and raise awareness of the importance of plant health and the phytosanitary sector at different levels with both the general public and stakeholders in the sector.

The Minister described it as “a very significant day both as a Government, a Ministry and for the Maltese and Gozitan people.”

He said that due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the activities that were planned at international level were decided to be extended this year until mid-2021.

Dr Refalo said that the Plant Protection Directorate is the national body responsible for plant protection, especially in Malta’s agriculture. “From the outset the Directorate recognised the importance and provided the support it deserved.”

During the launch of IYPH 2020 a workshop was organised on the work of the Directorate, the role of the IPPC, the new Phytosanitary Regulations and relevant plant diseases, among others.