Employees of the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH) once again demonstrated their strong team spirit at the B2Run business race, held on 7 May in Osijek. They joined more than a thousand participants in running or walking the 5-kilometre route along the Osijek promenade, enjoying the sporty and positive atmosphere that has become a hallmark of this event.
The business race once again fulfilled its goal of encouraging teamwork, strengthening informal communication among employees, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through physical activity.
Additionally, through the promotion of the #PlantHealth4Life campaign led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), for which HAPIH has been the national ambassador for the third consecutive year, HAPIH’s team highlighted that human health is influenced not only by physical activity but also by numerous other factors. The campaign emphasises the important, yet often overlooked, connection between plant and human health, as well as the role of plant health in preserving resilient ecosystems and supporting sustainable agricultural production.
The humorous slogan “Run for health, not from border control” featured on the runners’ shirts was used to further draw attention to the importance of responsible behaviour when travelling. In the context of plant health, the message encouraged travellers to avoid bringing foreign plants and plant materials without the required plant passport, thereby reducing the risk of introducing and spreading new plant pests and helping to protect agricultural and natural resources in the Republic of Croatia.
Combining participation in the business race with campaign promotion demonstrates how scientific topics can be effectively brought closer to the public through informal events, contributing to better information sharing and increased awareness of important issues.
