Crop Biosecurity: Local, National, Regional and Global Perspectives

The deliberate introduction of a new plant pathogen into an agro ecosystem could have serious negative impacts on human health, crop production and trade. Long-term effects on societies and communities surrounding the agricultural environment and agricultural industry are also possible. Invasions by new pathogens significantly increase the costs of short and long-term disease management. The production of many crops worldwide and outside their origin, together with the intensive trade of agricultural inputs and products, has increased the risk of exposure to new pathogens wherever crops are cultivated. Many of the major food staples are grown worldwide. Thus, the significance of a disease outbreak and its devastating consequences are magnified on a global scale, far beyond the region that produces that crop. The significance of crop biosecurity can increase or diminish along four major sectors (local, national, regional and global), depending upon the geographical location, the size of the area, and the nature of the agricultural system. Various aspects of crop bio security threats across these sectors are discussed below.