Chalara control plan aims to buy time

A number of control measures already introduced to reduce the speed of spread and restrictions on imports of ash trees and their movement around the country will remain in place.

Additional actions were announced by Environment Secretary Owen Patterson as a further case of dieback was confirmed in East Sussex, increasing the number of sites to 237, mostly in eastern counties.

The measures include researching spore production at infected sites, working with other European countries affected by Chalara and funding a study to accelerate the development of ObservaTREE, the early-warning system using volunteer groups.

The measures also include working with the horticulture and nursery sectors on long-term resilience to the impact of Chalara and other plant health threats.

“While the science tells us it won’t be possible to eradicate this disease, we mustn’t give up on British ash,” said Mr Patterson. “The plan I have set out shows our determination to slow the spread and minimise the impact of Chalara.

“It will also give us time to find those trees with genetic resistance to the disease and to restructure our woodlands to make them more resilient.”

The independent Task Force on Tree and Plant Health set up earlier also published its recommendations. The primary measure was the development of a prioritised UK Risk Register for tree health and plant biosecurity.

The task force also recommended better biosecurity at UK borders, the appointment of a Chief Plant Health Officer, a review of legislation and contingency planning to predict, monitor and control the spread of disease.

While the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Country Land and Business Association welcomed the Control Plan, Confor fears an over ambitious focus on reducing the disease spread will impact on action limiting the danger of future outbreaks.

“Experience abroad suggests there is little we can do, so we are concerned that limited resources are put to best use,” said Confor chief executive Stuart Goodall.

“There is a real danger that an over ambitious focus on reducing spread will take away resource from other vital areas, such as putting in place a practical strategy for limiting the danger of future outbreaks and Forestry Commission resources for promoting forest expansion and management.”