Environment Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 3 May 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to eradicate (a) Phytophthora ramorum and (b) Phytophthora kernoviae in trees.
The Food and Environment Research Agency and the Forestry Commission are jointly implementing the £25 million, five-year, Phytophthora Disease Management Programme until 2014.
The aim of the programme is to reduce pathogen inoculum to epidemiologically insignificant levels by removing sporulating host plants from high risk areas to reduce the risk of significant tree death and significant impact on heathlands within England and Wales.
“Phytophthora ramorum” has been found to be killing Japanese larch and removal of infected trees has become a priority. The disease has been confirmed at more than 100 sites and statutory powers are being used to require felling of up to 2,000 hectares of infected trees.
“Phytophthora kernoviae” appears to be more of a threat to deciduous trees and heathland and action under the programme includes monitoring for this disease and eradication of any plants found to be infected.
Yes1 person thinks so
No1 person thinks not
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