Consultation on the
future management of Phytophthora Ramorum and Phytophthora Kernoviae
DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (224/08) issued by
The Government News Network on 15 July 2008
Defra, the
Forestry Commission and the Welsh Assembly Government today (15
July) launched a joint consultation on the future management of
Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae.
Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae are fungus-like
pathogens which can kill some types of shrubs and trees, such as
the European beech, and pose a threat to garden plants, woodlands
and native heathland. The presence of Phytophthora ramorum in
Great Britain was first detected in 2002, and the first discovery
of Phytophthora kernoviae in Great Britain occurred in 2003.
Since the first discovery of each disease, emergency action has
been taken and a policy of containment and eradication has been
pursued. During that time scientific and economic evidence has
been gathered to inform a choice on future management of both diseases.
A broad range of stakeholders have shown an interest in the
management of these diseases, including private landowners,
managers of public and historic gardens, nurserymen and garden
centre managers, importers and exporters of plants, those with
responsibility for managing woodland and heathland environments,
and the public who visit the countryside and gardens.
The consultation paper has been produced in liaison with
representatives of these principal stakeholder groups. It seeks
views on where the level of disease management should be set in
the future. It asks whether controls should be reduced to a level
which meets the minimum requirements set by the EU, but which may
involve some continued disease spread within England and Wales; or
whether a programme of increased activity aimed at reducing the
presence and potential spread of the diseases should be implemented
Jeff Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal
Health, said:
"Despite five years of emergency action Phytophthora ramorum
and Phytophthora kernoviae have continued to spread, albeit
slowly, in the nursery trade and the wider environment. We now
know that they have the potential to cause significant harm to
businesses and the natural landscape, and we need to decide on a
policy for future management of the diseases.
"The management of Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora
kernoviae has implications for many people, and the options for
future controls present each different stakeholder group with new
challenges. This consultation offers the opportunity for each
sector to assess how changes in future disease management may
affect it, and to influence the policy direction. I urge all
stakeholder groups to consider carefully the science and economic
information presented in this consultation and to contribute to
the discussion on which approach is best for the natural
environment, industry and the public good."
The consultation will run until 10 October 2008. A copy of the
consultation document can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/phytophora-ram-kern/.
Notes to editors
1. The principal sporulating host for both pathogens is
Rhododendron ponticum. Other known hosts include Camellia Pieris
and Viburnum shrubs, while the principal trees affected are
European beech, Roble beech and Turkey oak. Of the two, P.
kernoviae appears more aggressive, with 56 European beech trees
affected (P. ramorum: 8). Only three native oaks have been
confirmed infected with bleeding cankers: 2 Common oaks (Quercus
robur) with P. kernoviae and 1 Sessile oak (Q. petraea) with P.
ramorum. Trees with bleeding cankers do not produce spores and are
not a source of further infection. However, some trees, including
Turkey oak, have developed foliar infection, which can produce
inoculum which could lead to disease spread. A full breakdown is
given in the consultation document.
2. Action against these two Phytophthora species is managed
through an inter-departmental programme board which is chaired by
Defra and includes representatives from the Forestry Commission
(including Forest Research), The Scottish Government, the Central
Science Laboratory and Defra.
3. The Scottish Government is responsible for disease management
outside woodland areas and is consulting separately on disease
management in non-woodland areas in Scotland. The Forestry
Commission has responsibility for the protection of trees and
woodland throughout Great Britain, and will not be consulting
separately in Scotland.
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News Release