This policy brief, published under the FREE3 Innovators Grant and UB3Guard COST Action (CA20132), examines how institutional silos between national plant health systems and urban forestry create critical biosecurity vulnerabilities. It outlines national-level strategies to help Member States comply with the EU Plant Health Regulation (EU 2016/2031) and align with frameworks like the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Nature Restoration Law. Key strategic actions include introducing due diligence frameworks for the plant trade, integrating sentinel planting networks for early warning, and harmonising plant protection product registrations across Member States.
Keywords: Urban trees, Biosecurity, National strategies, Early detection, Pest management, Tree health, Urban forestry, Invasive species, EU Plant Health Regulation, Due diligence
