Horticultural Officer (Plant Health Officer) with the Scottish Government - Christina Smith

Christina Smith, Horticulture & Marketing Officer (Plant Health Officer) with the Scottish Government travels all over the country looking for pests, bugs and diseases aiming to prevent the introduction and/or spread of harmful organisms into any part of the EU.
The greatest part of her role involves Phytophthora Ramorum/kernoviae see https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/pests-and-diseases/high-profile-pests-and-diseases/phytophthora/ for more information.
She and her team have an incredibly important role, they can issue holding notices, destruction notices, biosecurity notices, impacting farmers/land owners ability to plant their crops and forests across the country and beyond.  They take part in surveillance walks raising awareness and they carry warrant cards and can enter any area where ‘things grow’ at any time, including your garden – even if you’re not there!
A big recommendation for dog walkers – clean your boots, your dogs paws and the wheels of your car when going from area to area to avoid spreading disease.  And to us all - ‘look after your soil’. A fascinating talk.
Vote of thanks was given by Mike Latimer.