European Plant Health 4 Life campaign targets travelers at Milan airports

The European Plant Health 4 Life campaign, a joint initiative by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission, has entered its final year. The program involves 33 countries and aims to raise awareness about the link between plant health, food security, and environmental protection.

In Italy, the campaign has expanded its reach to Milan's Malpensa and Linate airports through an 'Out of Home' advertising initiative. The goal is to alert international travelers to the risks of transporting plants, seeds, or plant products from non-EU countries. Such items can inadvertently introduce harmful organisms that threaten biodiversity and agricultural heritage.

The campaign highlights the devastating economic and environmental impact of plant pests, citing Xylella fastidiosa—which killed millions of olive trees in Italy's Puglia region—as a primary example of the risks posed by human activity and global travel.