Planting to combat pests and diseases

摘要

With chemical controls being restricted, it is increasingly important to source plants bred for pest and disease resistance. The threat to chemical use in UK horticulture has spurned a new focus on plant breeding for pest and disease resistance. EU legislation on plant protection products, which was passed in January, will prohibit the use of many chemicals used within horticulture and raise the cost of those products deemed safe for use. While the arguments for and against the withdrawal of chemicals from the market have centred on edibles production, the hardy nursery stock sector will also be affected, as there is already a limited number of chemical products it can deploy.