The International Year of Plant Health has focused attention on the importance of biosecurity processes and systems in protecting our forests and plant industries. International trade and travel can spread pests and pathogens across the globe, with often devastating consequences for environmental, industry, and amenity values of forests. Prevention is critical to avoiding the impact of pests and pathogens on forests and is far more cost-effective than dealing with exotic pest incursions and long-term management of invasive species. Systems and processes that reduce the chance of pest and pathogen movement on goods or passengers are the first step in the line of defense for the world’s forests. Early detection of invading exotic pests is vital to increasing the chance of eradication and reducing the cost of responding to incursions. Finally, mechanisms for a timely and appropriate response to incursions are also necessary, as some pests will always evade the net.
International collaboration is key to reducing the spread of invasive pests and pathogens across the globe. Although there are international guidelines on biosecurity systems and processes (e.g. Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures), there is wide variation in how these are resourced and implemented across the globe, due in part to geopolitical considerations. Gaining a clearer picture of what these differences are may assist in identifying factors that could improve forest biosecurity at a global level.
In this Research Topic, we aim to bring together biosecurity experts from across the globe to present a review of the forest biosecurity systems and processes from countries in all Hemispheres. As a suggestion, we envisage that, for example, technical experts from research organizations and a countries’ Plant Protection Organisation will join forces to present a whole-of-country synopsis: forest biosecurity processes and systems pre-border, at the border, and post-border. Other articles relating to forest biosecurity systems and processes are also welcome.
The International Year of Plant Health has focused attention on the importance of biosecurity processes and systems in protecting our forests and plant industries. International trade and travel can spread pests and pathogens across the globe, with often devastating consequences for environmental, industry, and amenity values of forests. Prevention is critical to avoiding the impact of pests and pathogens on forests and is far more cost-effective than dealing with exotic pest incursions and long-term management of invasive species. Systems and processes that reduce the chance of pest and pathogen movement on goods or passengers are the first step in the line of defense for the world’s forests. Early detection of invading exotic pests is vital to increasing the chance of eradication and reducing the cost of responding to incursions. Finally, mechanisms for a timely and appropriate response to incursions are also necessary, as some pests will always evade the net.
International collaboration is key to reducing the spread of invasive pests and pathogens across the globe. Although there are international guidelines on biosecurity systems and processes (e.g. Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures), there is wide variation in how these are resourced and implemented across the globe, due in part to geopolitical considerations. Gaining a clearer picture of what these differences are may assist in identifying factors that could improve forest biosecurity at a global level.
In this Research Topic, we aim to bring together biosecurity experts from across the globe to present a review of the forest biosecurity systems and processes from countries in all Hemispheres. As a suggestion, we envisage that, for example, technical experts from research organizations and a countries’ Plant Protection Organisation will join forces to present a whole-of-country synopsis: forest biosecurity processes and systems pre-border, at the border, and post-border. Other articles relating to forest biosecurity systems and processes are also welcome.
