UK: New Xylella elearning module available from HTA

The HTA has launched an e-learning module on Xylella fastidiosa providing plant area and garden retail staff with the latest information about this plant disease that presents a huge threat to the industry.

The module, which is available to all free of charge, is one of the actions to come from the emergency Xylella meeting held at the HTA offices at which garden retailers requested a resource which could be easily shared amongst staff in order to raise awareness about the plant disease.

The 8-minute-long module can be accessed here: www.hta.org.uk/xylella

Whilst aimed at plant area and garden retail staff the information will also be relevant for plant buyers and business owners, as well as the wider industry. The elearning module includes information about:

Host species
Five-point plan
Plant Passporting
Further sources of information

Many of those who attended the meeting also took part in the Xylella panel session at HTA Garden Futures last week where Xylella was described as ‘the single biggest threat to the garden industry in 32 years’. Businesses including Aylett Nurseries, Notcutts Garden Centres, Klondyke Group, Hillview Group and Johnsons of Whixley spoke about the preventative actions and responsibility they are taking.

Panellist Boyd Douglas-Davies, CEO of Hillview Garden Centres comments “We need to act now as individual companies and take responsibility for our own actions. Resources such as this video will help to spread the word about Xylella and I encourage all to share with their staff.”

Xylella fastidiosa is one of the most harmful bacterial plant diseases in the world. It can cause severe losses in a wide range of hosts and there would be a massive impact on the plant trade across all business sectors in the event of an outbreak in the UK.

An outbreak of this disease, where several different plants are infected, will trigger immediate stock destruction within 100 metres and a movement ban of host plants within a 10-kilometre radius for up to five years. This will dramatically and immediately affect most plant selling operations, as well as impacting on all businesses dealing in plants within the 10km zone. Gardens could also be affected.

For more information
Horticultural Trades Association
Horticulture House
19 High Street
Theale
Reading
West Berkshire
RG7 5AH
T: +44 (0)118 930 3132
Fax: +44 (0)118 932 3453
NGGV: +44 (0)118 930 2092
www.the-hta.org.uk