Minister introduces ‘fortress Ireland’ approach to ash tree disease
FORESTRY Minister Michelle O’Neill has introduced emergency legislation, in tandem with similar legislation in the south, to stop the importation of ash trees.
The measure was taken to help prevent the spread of Chalara ash dieback, a disease of ash trees which is caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea.
Minister O’Neill emphasized that Chalara ash dieback is a serious threat to native trees and welcomed the opportunity to co-operate within a “Fortress Ireland” approach to plant health. She said: “Yesterday I held discussions with my counterpart Minister of State Shane McEntee in which we agreed that emergency legislation was essential to control the imports of ash trees into Ireland.
“It was therefore an important step that we have co-ordinated the introduction of legislation so that we have equivalent measures coming into force on the same day north and south.”
The minister added: “In addition to the introduction of this legislation, I am convening a meeting of stakeholders and industry representatives next week to discuss further monitoring and control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.”
Meanwhile, North Antrim MLA Robin Swann, has challenged the DARD Minister to “immediately remove” ash as a listed species, which is used in Field Boundary Restoration work in the Countryside Management Scheme.
Speaking after an Agriculture Committee meeting, Mr Swann made the call after the Department announced it was bringing forward emergency legislation to help prevent the spread of “Ash Dieback”.
The North Antrim MLA noted: “Ash dieback has now been identified in trees in the Republic of Ireland and there is documented evidence that in other European countries up to 80% of the ash tree population has died.
“I call on DARD to remove ash from the list of recommended species, and to review the number of species that must be present in each section of hedging which is completed under this scheme.”
Mr Swann added: “Not only do we need DARD to take immediate action and stop the importation of ash from infected countries, but it must remove its requirement to use this species in its funded programs.”
Martin Harper, the RSPB’s Director of Conservation, said: “Ash trees are the crowd pleasers of nature; they do a lot for all kinds of different animals and plants, from providing great roosting sites and warm holes to nest in, to perfect places to forage for food and ideal spots to flourish and grow. Birds, bats, fungi, plants, insects and more all use ash trees in one way or another meaning this disease has the potential to damage ecosystems in a big way.
“This is a stark reminder that non-native plants and animals can wreak havoc on already over-stressed habitats and native wildlife. While we welcome the Government’s ban on imports, it is not enough in itself. The EU is currently developing new international legislation on invasive non-native species and this is a major opportunity to prevent future problems. The big lesson here is that sometimes, strong environmental regulation is needed to protect all our interests.”
Further information on the disease and reporting findings is available at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/preventing-the-spread-of-tree-disease
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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