UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) alongside the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) have opened a new funding award to improve the UK’s technical capability to protect plant health and biosecurity.

From today, businesses working in technological innovation and the UK horticultural, forestry, agricultural, and plant sectors can apply for a share of the up-to £800,000 funding pot to devise new biosecurity-focussed tech and solutions.

The fund will help support innovations to enhance plant health inspections both at the border and in-land, pest and disease surveillance, and management of infected commodities.

The announcement follows the launch of the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain earlier this year. It set out a five-year vision for plant health, consisting of an action plan to secure national biosecurity, protect native species, and drive economic growth.

Speaking on the new funding, Lord Benyon, Defra minister for biosecurity, said: “Plants and trees provide £15.7bn to society annually in the UK and it is imperative that they are protected and the UK remains at the forefront of emerging technologies to do this.

“The UK is proud to be a global leader in plant biosecurity, and this new investment is part of the Government’s commitment to invest in new technologies, enhance biosecurity and boost the economy which will ensure protection for our plants and trees.”

Prof. Guy Poppy, interim executive chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), commented: “Healthy, robust, resilient plants are paramount to the health of our environment, food supply, economy and society.

“It is therefore mission critical that the UK invests the resource required to effectively predict, prevent, detect and manage threats to plant health.

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“This exciting collaboration convenes key UK partners to help safeguard plants by tackling existing and emerging infections – key strategic ambitions for Defra and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

“As the UK’s major public funder of plant science research, BBSRC’s investments in a portfolio of fundamental and translational research ensure we maintain a dynamic and productive national capability in plant health and biosecurity.

“Coupled with the world-leading expertise of Innovate UK in supporting businesses to maximise the full potential of their ideas and drive economic progress, this new initiative will bring together the best in academia and business to deliver innovative, sustainable, long-term solutions for UK plant health.”