Websites selling plants from abroad will be monitored more closely to tackle the increasing threat from invasive pests and diseases, ministers have said.
The Government has announced a five-year strategy to protect Britain’s native species and food security.
Measures include expanding the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s internet trading unit so online retailers and social media sites selling potentially high-risk plant products to Britain can be apprehended.
The Government estimates that the UK economy benefits from crops and nature more generally to the tune of £ 15.7 billion a year – but the risks from pests and pathogens cost more than £ 4 billion annually.
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