Buying better biosecurity: Plant‐buying behaviour and the implications for an accreditation scheme in the horticultural sector

Abstract

The horticultural trade relies on healthy plants to flourish. However, its very nature means that it is also a key pathway for the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases. These pests and diseases threaten horticultural stakeholders, and can also cause huge ecological and economic damage. A horticultural sector accreditation scheme, underpinned by best biosecurity practice, could help reduce these threats. Drawing on survey responses, this study examines the plant-buying habits of UK consumers and their appetite for a horticulture accreditation scheme. We consider the necessary scope of such a scheme and outline how it could be made appealing to the plant-buying public. S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O N Additional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section. How to cite this article: Dunn M, Marzano M, Forster J. Buying better biosecurity: Plant-buying behaviour and the implications for an accreditation scheme in the horticultural sector. Plants, People, Planet. 2020;2:259-268. https ://doi.

Perceptions of Biosecurity-Based Accreditation in the Plant Trade: A UK Example

“…A previous study into the general publics' tree and plant purchasing decisions demonstrated the importance of perceptions of quality and cost over biosecurity precautions and the associated mitigation of damage to the wider environment from pests and diseases, for which awareness is low. Although many supported the notion of an accreditation scheme underpinned by best-biosecurity practice they also expressed concern over whether a nursery's requirement to implement practices and join a scheme would impact the affordability of products [29].…”

“…We recently explored whether the gardening public would be receptive to a biosecurity accreditation scheme in the nursery sector and there was wholescale support in principle although less willingness to pay more for accredited products [29]. Here, we will identify where there is support for an accreditation scheme within the nursery sector that grow, purchase and trade large volumes of plants.…”

PHYTO-THREATS: Addressing Threats to UK Forests and Woodlands from Phytophthora; Identifying Risks of Spread in Trade and Methods for Mitigation

“…The role of this panel was to help steer the project's science outcomes to match stakeholder needs. A wide range of stakeholder and consumer attitudes to implementation of a UK-wide nursery 'best practice' accreditation scheme was identified through surveys and interviews [26,27]. These analyses involved growers, retailers, local authorities, landscape architects and the general public.…”

“…Research carried out by social scientists in the Phyto-threats project explored attitudes towards a hypothetical accreditation scheme. A survey of 100 UK garden centres and nurseries [26] identified strong agreement within these sectors that an accreditation scheme would provide greater biosecurity protection and ensure that consumers purchased better quality plants. However, there were concerns over costs and a degree of scepticism over the likely interest of consumers in accredited products.…”

“…It was clear that the project's work on analysing Phytophthora diversity in nurseries had identified hosts and practices of high biosecurity risk that should be targeted in the Plant Health Management Standard. However, the stakeholder surveys undertaken as part of this project highlighted the challenges of securing uptake and consumer support for accreditation i.e., [26,27], one of the key challenges being the need for much better engagement on plant health risks to secure collaboration from all sectors.…”