The UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which is part of Defra, is interested in finding out more about skilled resources that could be used as part of future plant pest contingency planning.

These resources could provide surge capacity for existing capability or offer specialist roles which the agency already outsources, such as tree climbing services. The agency’s approach is to ensure preparedness for future quarantine plant pest or disease outbreaks that may require rapid or large-scale monitoring, or eradication action.

APHA is exploring the feasibility of building a register of businesses who may act as external contractors. To enable this the agency wants to understand what skills and equipment reside within private business that could be utilised under various response scenarios, particularly on a local level. This may be to perform commercial tasks, such as applying pesticide spraying on farms, or in the wider environment, for example in felling trees and safely disposing of large volumes of plant material, or performing survey duties, all working to set instructions and tight deadlines.

To find out more, contact outbreakndccocgoperations@apha.gov.uk

This article was taken from Issue 209 Summer 2025 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.