Summary
The Plant Health Management Standard sets out best practice for managing plant health and biosecurity, intended to help professionals (e.g. nurseries, retailers and landscapers) to implement effective plant health management practices to minimise the risk of introducing and spreading harmful plant pests and diseases through their operations. Plant Healthy certification is a voluntary certification scheme that provides a means for these businesses to demonstrate that they follow all the requirements set out in the Standard. The scheme was introduced in 2019 and currently has over 100 members. However, uptake in some sectors – including plant retailers and the closely linked sectors of landscaping and design – has been limited so far. This research aims to add to our understanding of the motivators and barriers related to businesses in these sectors engaging with biosecurity certification based on the Standard, with a focus on Plant Healthy certification against the Standard.
Research Objectives
• Understand the range of factors that are important in decision-making related to businesses engaging with biosecurity certification based on the Plant Health Management Standard for two sectors – (1) plant retail, and (2) landscape and design – and explore how this varies within each sector.
• Identify potential interventions that could respond to these factors and increase uptake of biosecurity certification based on the Plant Health Management Standard within each sector.
• Explore the potential impact that engagement-related interventions could have on intentions to pursue this kind of certification.
Latest Update
We are preparing to deliver interviews with businesses working in the plant retail and landscape and design sectors during autumn 2026. If you represent one of these businesses and would like to take part, please get in touch with Elizabeth Edwards.
Our Involvement
FR leads on delivery of this project.
Further Information
National Conversation on Plant Health This project is part of a wider body of research delivered under the National Conversation on Plant Health programme of work, led by Forest Research and funded by Defra’s Future Proofing Plant Health programme. This aims to lay the foundations for a national conversation on plant and tree health and biosecurity by developing our understanding of current levels of awareness, attitudes, motivations and actions relating to the topic; and by exploring opportunities to encourage action.
Funding & Partners
- Defra - Future Proofing Plant Health Partner: Plant Healthy Ltd