Advisory Report by BuRO on the Risks of the Ornamental Horticulture Production Chain
The Office for Risk Assessment & Research (BuRO) advises the Inspector-General (IG) of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) on the risks to public health, plant health, animal health and nature that occur in the ornamental horticulture production chain.
The risks to plant health involve, for example, the introduction of new unknown harmful organisms and known organisms such as the Asian longhorn beetle, the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa and the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica.
Risks to nature and the environment may arise, for example, from the (deliberate) introduction of exotic ornamental plants and other organisms, and from the application of plant protection products and biocides. Exotic ornamental plants can behave invasively after becoming feral and have a negative effect on biodiversity.
Risks to human and animal health are mainly caused by the application of plant protection products.
BuRO's advice to the IG includes:
- Discuss with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) a possible tightening of import requirements for plants.
- Discuss with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) measures to further reduce the introduction of invasive exotic species.
- Investigate the risks of residues of plant protection products on ornamental horticulture products from third countries.