Plant Health Department

General Information

The Plant Health Department forms part of the Rural Affairs and Paying Agency (RAPA) under the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. The Plant Health Department is administered by Dr Marica Gatt as Director.

Dr Marica Gatt holds a B.Sc. in Biology and Chemistry a post graduate diploma (DSPU) in Protection and Sanitation of Mediterranean Fruit Trees, an M.Sc. in Virology (CIHEAM) and a Ph.D. in Agriculture. Dr M. Gatt has been employed with the Ministry since 1993. She has occupied the position of Director of Plant Health since 28th February 2007.

The offices and laboratories which form the Plant Health Department are situated at two different locations. The first is the Plant Biotechnology Centre which is found at Lija, whereas, the second is the Agricultural Research and Development Centre at Għammieri, Marsa.

The premises of the Plant Biotechnology Centre hosts the main offices of the Plant Health Department from where most activities carried under the responsibility of the Department are co-ordinated. At this premises the Plant Tissue Culture and the Diagnostic Laboratories, together with a Modern Glasshouse, a Shade House, Plastic and Screen Houses, Open Fields and Underground Water Reservoirs, which complement the work carried in both laboratories, can be found within the Plant Biotechnology Centre.

The Agricultural Research and Development Center at Għammieri, Marsa serves as the headquarters of the Rural Affairs and Paying Agency. However, at this centre there is also a block of building used as offices for specific units and laboratories administered by the Plant Health Department. The offices found at this center include the Pesticide Unit, the Seeds and other Propagation Material Unit and the part of Diagnostic and Control Unit all of which form part of the Plant Protection and Propagation Section. The Nematology Lab, the Entomology Lab, the Mycology Lab, the Chemistry Lab (Soil and Water) and the Oenology Laboratories are also found at this centre.