Cyprus is taking part for the fourth consecutive year in the European #PlantHealth4Life campaign, which concludes this year, aiming to raise public awareness, particularly among younger generations, about environmental protection and plant health, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on Wednesday.
According to the press release, the campaign is a joint initiative of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and 33 countries. It noted that protecting the environment and plant health is one of the most important challenges at European and global level, while highlighting the key role of education in shaping responsible citizens.
Dr. Anthemis Melifronidou-Pantelidou, Senior Product Inspection Officer and the Department of Agriculture’s official responsible for plant health issues, said that ‘educating young people about environmental protection and plant health is an investment in our future. Through knowledge and the cultivation of environmental awareness, we are laying the foundations for a society that respects and protects nature.’
The campaign also features mascot ‘Pesty’, which is used to present challenges related to plant health and nature protection in a more creative way.