Rotherhill Nurseries recognises that not only British horticulture, but our domestic gardens and natural environment is threatened by an increasing number of invasive plant pests including insects and pathogens. These can be spread through infested plant materiel from poor horticultural practices, imports and other pathways. We are committed to being a part of the driving force of defining good practices and adhering to the highest quality of horticultural practices. 

We acknowledge our responsibility to act in a responsible manner to minimise the the risk posed by our own horticultural endeavours and our supply chain. 

To this end we follow the following steps: 

• Rotherhill Nurseries have an internal management system focusing on plant health to ensure all plants are maintained, grown or purchased with an assurance on good horticultural practices with full record keeping and documentation.
• Rotherhill Nurseries comply with all government regulations and legislation to ensure that plant health remains at the highest of standards and the risk of disease entering the UK is controlled and minimised.
• Rotherhill Nurseries requires full Xyella testing on olive trees in accordance with DEFRA.
• Rotherhill Nurseries have heavily reduced and full lab testing of imports of plants on at risk of transmitting Xyella.
• Rotherhill Nurseries operate a zero tolerance policy for notifiable Pest, Disease and Weed on all imported stock.
• Through consultants, trade bodies, government bodies, plant health portal and our own further research remain up to date with plant health developments with two trained and nominated members of staff for this. 
• Rotherhill Nurseries have an accredited Plant health specialist visit on a regular basis to inspect the nursery and its plants as a whole and give a full report with guidance for us to follow.
• Rotherhill Nurseries and it suppliers are all plant passported in accordance with current legislation.
• Plants are only purchased from approved suppliers who share our values and have been audited and risk assessed demonstrating best practice regarding plant health.
• We practice high levels of nursery hygiene, maintaining crop inspection and husbandry records
• On receipt plants are inspected by nominated, trained staff in accordance with our goods in procedure. Inspection reports are kept on all ‘goods in’
• Staff are trained to recognise and report pest and disease
• We work closely with our local plant health inspectorate and DEFRA to keep the nursery clean and up to date with current legislations.
• We ensure that all areas of our business and supply chain adhere to our policy regarding plant health and the environment.
• We are aware of water based pathogens and inspect our reservoir regularly for infection.
• Biosecurity posters are available for customers to see in our shop.
• We have a designated quarantine area for the unlikely occurrence of a plant health concern.
• Any plants we are concerned about is burned as per DEFRA recommendation.

We believe that these steps minimise to the best of our ability the risk carried by our plants.