Why biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility
Biosecurity is no longer a background consideration for British horticulture. It is central to protecting our gardens, landscapes and the wider environment.
As one of the UK’s leading wholesale nurseries supplying garden centres nationwide, our Associate Member Wyevale Nurseries places biosecurity at the heart of its operations.
Julia Giermaniuk, Plant Healthy Lead at Wyevale Nurseries, which was also voted by garden centre members as our Associate of the Year for 2022, explains: “Biosecurity is an invisible shield. Threats aren’t always obvious, they can be carried on plants, footwear, vehicles or equipment, so it’s vital that best practice is embedded into everyday routines.”
Practical steps make a difference
At Wyevale Nurseries, biosecurity begins long before plants leave the nursery. All incoming stock is carefully isolated, inspected and recorded before being integrated. Movement around growing areas is controlled, with particular attention paid to cleaning and disinfecting tools, footwear and vehicles between sites.
Detailed record keeping plays a crucial role too, allowing any plant movement to be traced quickly if an issue is identified.
Julia, who has a BSc in Plant Biology and MSc in Biotechnology at Aberystwyth University, says: “Good records and early reporting are essential. They allow swift action and reduce the chance of problems spreading further.”
Training, awareness & hygiene
Strong biosecurity relies on people. At Wyevale Nurseries, staff training extends well beyond technical teams, with employees across divisions taught how to recognise risks and respond appropriately. Regular refreshers ensure knowledge stays current and every staff member understands their role in maintaining plant health standards.
High levels of nursery hygiene and housekeeping underpin these practices, ensuring plants are not only healthy, but presented at their best for garden centre customers.
Plant Healthy certification
Wyevale Nurseries is proud to be a Plant Healthy certified business, audited annually against the Plant Health Management Standard. This requires a comprehensive Pest Risk Analysis for each site, along with clear mitigation strategies and continual improvement.
One of the biggest biosecurity challenges facing the industry is imported stock. Julia explains: “Imports carry higher risk, so we’ve made conscious decisions to reduce exposure. We’ve eliminated several high‑risk species from imports and focus on sourcing locally wherever possible, using approved suppliers who meet our rigorous standards.”
Working together
For garden centres, partnering with wholesalers who take biosecurity seriously provides assurance and resilience across the supply chain.
Julia concludes: “Biosecurity doesn’t stop at the nursery gate. By working together, growers, suppliers and retailers, we can protect plant health, customer confidence and the future of UK horticulture.”