Brussels, 08/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The French Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union recently submitted a document to experts from the member states detailing the eight pillars of a plant health action plan. With the explosion in trade and the increase in harmful organisms, France hopes to be able to push the EU towards a policy that prevents plant health risks rather than one of repair and crisis management.
According to the text, “Eight main priorities for a new plant health strategy”, EU mechanisms for monitoring plant health will have to be formalised. France notes the plant health policy's “virtuous circle”: early detection, immediate implementation of plant health measures and rapid compensation. It says that compensation for expenses directly incurred in protecting plant health should be open to all those who belonged and contributed to a solidarity fund. (L.C./transl.rt)