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The internet and risks to plant health

Explore the challenges and risks of buying and selling plants online, from invasive species to legal issues. Learn how to tackle the problem through monitoring, cooperation with online platforms, and raising awareness.

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The internet and risks to plant health

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  1. The internet and risks to plant health Steve Ashby CPM vice-chair

  2. Internet sales of plants for planting Giltrap, Eyre and Reed, (EPPO Bulletin 39) • Specialist suppliers • National newspapers • E commerce websites representing many small producers • Plant sharing and trading websites

  3. Specific issues • Large quantities bought in • Small quantities supplied • Large numbers of recipients • Suppliers can be outside NPPO jurisdiction • Traders may lack plant knowledge • Speed of trade

  4. Case studies 1. Import of Goji plants • Lycium barbarum (Solanaceae) • Banned import in EU • Plants imported into Guernsey via the Netherlands from China • Uncovered by an inspector • Huge market – 45000 plants supplied to 19000 customers • Non-native pest discovered – Aceria kuko

  5. 2. Import of Acer plants • Imports infested with Anoplophora chinensis • Plants imported to Guernsey via the Netherlands from China • Guernsey inspectors found the pest • Supplied to customers of a national newspaper/internet and TV shopping channel • 60,000 trees sent to private buyers in UK • 12 interceptions of beetles connected to this

  6. Problem • 80,000 goji plants and 60,000 acers distributed throughout UK • Company unwilling to provide customer lists although agreed to contact purchasers • Impossible to ensure all buyers were aware of the risks or to follow

  7. Conclusions • Lack of knowledge of trade • Huge number of end-users • Legal issues with action in private gardens • Increasing trade • Problems discovered after trade had happened • Internet is vast – e.g. 9000 people selling plants in UK on Ebay. • High cost of automatic or human monitoring

  8. Other internet issues • Sales of insects • e.g. Manduca sexta – Sphinx or tobacco hornworm moth • e.g. Lymantria dispar - Gypsy moth • Seeds • Specialist collectors • Member only internet sites • Use of unrecognised names – incorrect Latin names or different common names

  9. Ebay cooperation

  10. How to tackle the issue • Monitor the internet • Contact owners of websites to seek cooperation • Contact internet trade groups and on-line forums • Raise awareness of risks

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