The European PlantHealth4Life campaign, which unites 22 European countries to support plant health, biodiversity, and the economy, is returning on a larger scale, according to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, marking Cyprus's participation in the initiative.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the relationship between plant health and daily life and to encourage citizen action to protect plant health. Organized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission, it will be active in 22 European countries.

Tobin Robinson, head of EFSA's Plant Unit, will present the campaign during the "Plant Health Without Borders" symposium organized by the EU Belgian Presidency. He noted that plant health affects the environment, the economy, the European food chain, and our present and future.

Claire Bury, Deputy Director General for Food Sustainability at DG SANTE, stated that plant health is a priority for the European Commission under the 'One Health' approach.

Anthemis Melifronidou-Pantelidou, Senior Product Inspection Officer and responsible for Phytosanitary issues at the Department of Agriculture, emphasized that Cyprus's flora is an integral part of the Cypriot cultural identity. She added that safeguarding the health of Cyprus's forests, urban greenery, and agriculture is not just a responsibility but a duty.

Twenty-one EU member states are participating in the campaign.