Press release
Minister Hackett welcomes appointment of Diarmuid Gavin as International Year of Plant Health Advocate
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister Pippa Hackett has welcomed the appointment by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation of Diarmuid Gavin as an advocate for Plant Health.
Noting the appointment, which has been made to coincide with the extension of the International Year of Plant Health to July 2021, to take into consideration the limitations placed on 2020 plans by Covid, the Minister said:
“I am really pleased that someone as high-profile and well respected as Diarmuid is going to help get the message across that we simply must give priority to plant health. Plant Health is key to the sustainable production of food and to our ability to feed the world’s population. Plants make up 80% of the food we eat and provide 98% of the oxygen we breathe, so there is absolutely no room for complacency when it comes to making sure they are healthy.”
Referring to what Diarmuid will be doing and how the relationship will work, the Minister continued:
“Through social media, videos and posts, Diarmuid will educate us all about importance of plants. He will be looking at factors such as how to keep plants healthy while protecting the environment, safe trading, and the need to be careful when taking plants across borders. My officials are already meeting with him and the FAO very regularly and will continue to do so. And I am delighted that that level of co-operation has already led to a number of awareness videos which we have financed and which will be available soon.”
The Minister concluded by noting the role of the Department’s Plant Health & Bio security Strategy 2020-2025 [document 100957 ] in the collaboration:
“My Department’s Plant Health & Bio security Strategy 2020-2025, delivered through a detailed implementation plan which is now being rolled out, will help protect the Irish environment and further enhance Ireland’s biodiversity for future generations. I look forward to working with Diarmuid to raise awareness of its importance.”
• Ireland and DAFM have been staunch supporters of the International Year of Plant Health since its inception.
• Official engagement occurs through Chief Plant Health Officers (COPHS) and through Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM)
• Active Ministerial participation including Minister Doyle attending and speaking at the launch of IYPH in Rome in 2020
• In January President Higgins planted a native oak tree in the Phoenix Park to launch the IYPH in Ireland
• DAFM launched Ireland’s Plant Health & Bio-security Strategy 2020-2025
• https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b737e-dont-risk-it/#plant-health-bio-security-strategy-2020-2025
• FAO recently nominated Diarmuid Gavin as an IYPH Advocate for Europe #IYPH2020
• Ireland (DAFM) have made a series of contributions to IYPH including a contribution of €100,000 for 2020 and €50,000 for 2021.
ENDS
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