The United Nations has designated the year 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) to promote plant health around the world. Protecting plant health means safeguarding crops, ecosystems, forests and natural habitats from invasive plant pests and diseases.
The IYPH has four global themes, which include how good plant health can:
- help end hunger
- reduce poverty
- protect the environment, and
- boost economic development
Canada works hard to protect our valuable plant resources, our economy and international trade, and is proud to support this major global initiative.
Plant Protection in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is Canada's representative to the International Plant Protection Convention and works with other federal departments and agencies to:
- develop and set plant-health related policies and standards
- develop and implement regulations and plant health-related programs
- set international standards and rules for trade
- inspect goods as they come into the country
- survey for pests and threats, trap insects, sample and observe soil and plants
The CFIA works closely with the provincial and territorial ministries of agriculture, environment and forestry.
Canadian partners for the International Year of Plant Health
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Canadian Forest Service
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- National Research Centre
- Natural Resources Canada
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
- Parks Canada
- Pest Management Centre
- Scouts Canada
- Canadian Council on Invasive Species
- Invasive Species Centre