DEFRA Chief plant health officer visits AFBI

Date published: 09 April 2014

AFBI has hosted a visit by Defra’s recently appointed Chief Plant Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spence, at its Headquarters at Newforge Lane.

Following a brief introduction from AFBI Chief Executive Officer, Professor Seamus Kennedy, Professor Spence had the opportunity to discuss plant health statutory testing and research in Northern Ireland. She heard about AFBI’s ongoing work on Phytophthora ramorum, Chalara fraxinea, damaging insects and New Zealand flat worm.

AFBI is at the forefront in the fight against the introduction of new pests and diseases into Northern Ireland. The expert scientists in diagnostic laboratories screen hundreds of samples each year using both traditional and the most up-to-date molecular techniques for the detection and identification of non-indigenous organisms. There is also a comprehensive research and development programme developing and improving diagnostics, investigating the epidemiology and virulence of pathogen and pest populations and developing the most effective methods of exclusion, and where necessary eradication and containment.

The post of Chief Plant Health Officer is newly created in DEFRA in April 2014. Professor Spence took on this important role from the start of April 2014 having previously been Chief Executive of Science City, York.