Development of a plant health barometer (phytosanitary situation)

The aim of this advice is to present an instrument to measure the overall phytosanitary 
situation of plants and plant products in Belgium on a yearly basis and to monitor its evolution 
over time. This instrument is, alongside the food safety barometer (Advice 28-2010) and the 
animal health barometer (Advice 09-2011), one of the 3 instruments available to provide a 
bird's eye view on the overall status of the safety of the food chain in Belgium. 
In order to measure the plant health situation, working with a battery of indicators is proposed, 
the composition of which may change over time. Quantitative data must be available for these 
indicators. In total, 13 plant health indicators (PHI's) were identified and the results of these 
were monitored between 2007 and 2010. 
Based on the results of the 13 plant health indicators, it is apparent that plant health 
(phytosanitary situation) in Belgium has shown a positive development since 2007, the real 
meaning of which must be assessed over the long term. 
Lastly, a proposal for the visual presentation of the plant health barometer has been 
developed.