Summary

Many of the priorities for tree and plant health identified by the UK government in the Plant Health & Biosecurity Strategy  (2014) and the Tree Health Resilience Strategy (2018) require changes in behaviour from a wide range of stakeholders, including the public. This research aims to lay the foundations for a National Conversation on plant / tree health and biosecurity, initially by conducting a national-scale survey of the public’s views of biosecurity and plant / tree health issues, followed by targeted research into how biosecure behaviours can be encouraged.

Research Objectives

  • Determine the societal-scale levels of appreciation, awareness and understanding of biosecurity and plant / tree health issues in the UK.
  • Identify what the public see as their roles and responsibilities to improving biosecurity.
  • Canvas key stakeholder groups to see where they would like increased levels of public appreciation, awareness, understanding and support for biosecurity and plant / tree health.
  • Determine key plant / tree health issues for which behavioural interventions could be part of a solution.
  • Scope how a National Conversation could be designed and delivered to increase appreciation, awareness, understanding and support for biosecurity in the UK

Funding & Partners

  • Defra logo This project is part of the Future Proofing Plant Health project funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)