Don’t leaf it to chance: Plant health is everyone’s business

As part of International Day of Plant Health, on May 12, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is urging Canadians to take action to protect Canada’s plants—an essential resource for our food, economy, and environment.

As part of International Day of Plant Health, on May 12, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is urging Canadians to take action to protect Canada’s plants—an essential resource for our food, economy, and environment.

Plants provide 98% of the oxygen we breathe and 80% of the food we eat. In Canada, plant-based sectors contribute $150 billion in GDP, including $33 billion in grains and oilseeds, $882 million in ornamental flowers, plants and trees, and $36.2 billion in forestry products.  

However, plants face ongoing threats from harmful pests—including insects, pathogens, and other organisms—that can arrive through cargo, packaging, firewood, or travellers’ baggage. Once introduced, these pests can devastate crops, gardens and forests, threatening biodiversity and harming Canada’s economy.

Protecting plant health is everyone’s responsibility. Like border control and hygiene for plants, plant biosecurity helps safeguard our food supply, protects jobs, enables smooth trade, and preserves forests and natural spaces for future generations.

The CFIA protects plants through comprehensive regulations, border controls, surveillance, quarantine measures, public education, scientific risk assessment and laboratory analysis. This integrated approach supports the sustainability, productivity, and safety of our agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Everyone can help stop the spread of invasive pests: