Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce

1. Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce Dr Gemma Harper Animal and Plant Health Evidence and Analysis Chief Social Researcher

2. Background Images from BBC.co.uk At the request of the Secretary of State, the CSA convened the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce in Nov 2012

3. The Taskforce

4. Taskforce aims • Review domestic and international risks • Provide independent perspective on costs and benefits • Identify barriers to tree health and plant biosecurity • Make best use of international practice • Identify knowledge gaps • Consider the current policy and delivery infrastructure • Review contingency planning and emergency response

5. Taskforce members Professor Christopher Gilligan (Chair): Professor of Mathematical Biology, University of Cambridge. Professor Robert Fraser: Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Kent. Professor Charles Godfray: Hope Professor of Zoology (Entomology), University of Oxford. Professor Nicholas Hanley: Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Stirling. Professor Simon Leather: Professor of Entomology, Harper Adams University College. Professor Thomas Meagher: Professor of Plant Biology, University of St Andrews. Professor Judith Petts: Professor of Environmental Risk Management, University of Southampton. Professor Nicholas Pidgeon: Professor of Environmental Psychology, Cardiff University. Dr Jens-Georg Unger: Head of the Institute for National and International Plant Health in Germany. Dr Stephen Woodward: Reader at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen. Observer: Professor Michael Jeger, Imperial College London

6. Taskforce members Joined January 2013 Professor John Mumford: Professor of Natural Resource Management, Imperial College. Dr Clive Potter: Reader in Environmental Policy, Imperial College. Professor Michael Shaw Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Reading.

7. Officials Advisory Group • Chris Cheffings JNCC • Hugh Clayden Forestry Commission - Scotland • Roger Coppock Forestry Commission • Hugh Evans Forestry Commission - Wales • Peter Freer-Smith Forest Research • Nigel Gibbens Defra • Wilma Harper Forestry Commission • Tony Kirkham RBG Kew • Ian Mitchell Defra • David Slawson Food and Environment Research Agency • Martin Ward Food and Environment Research Agency • Joan Webber Forest Research

8. Aims of the Officials Advisory Group • To raise awareness to the Taskforce of planned and current activities on the ground • To provide expert advice to the Taskforce where required • To review recommendations from the Taskforce to consider their feasibility and how they complement existing activities • To develop operational plans to support policy implementation of the Secretary of State‘s response to the Taskforce recommendations

9. Taskforce recommendations • Prioritised risk register • Strengthen biosecurity at borders and within UK • Appoint Chief Plant Health Officer • Review, simplify and strengthen governance • Maximise epidemiological intelligence/EU Regulations • Preparedness and contingency planning • User-friendly expert system • Key skills shortages

10. Knowledge gaps

11. Evidence plan

12. Timeline Nov Dec Jan Feb March April Taskforce convenes Taskforce meets Interim report produced Final report produced http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2012/12/06/pb13842-tree-taskforce-interim/

13. Working together • LWEC Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative • Phytophthora ramorum/kernoviae research • EUPHRESCO-2 e.g. potato wart disease, emerging phytophthoras, potato phytoplasmas/liberibacters • Public engagement and citizen science, e.g. OPAL Tree Health Survey, ObservaTREE, Chelsea Show Garden • Training, e.g. biosecurity workshops, Royal Botanic Garden • Further opportunities...

14. Thank you! Gemma Harper gemma.harper@defra.gsi.gov.uk