Gildernew stakeholder meeting on the new disease affecting Japanese Larch

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has assured forestry stakeholders that the Department is responding appropriately to the recent outbreak of Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Disease).

The Minister chaired a meeting of forestry stakeholders during which she outlined the steps being taken to contain the disease on Japanese larch caused by P. ramorum. Three infected sites have been confirmed in woodlands on the Antrim plateau. Around 200 hectares of public forest estate and a further five hectares of private woodland are affected. The disease has also been recently confirmed in Japanese larch woodland in the south of Ireland.

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said: "Our woodlands make a significant and positive contribution to our rural environment, economy, landscape, culture, heritage and well-being. Therefore we are always concerned when a new disease comes along and appears to threaten them. We cannot predict what impact P. ramorum is going to have in the long term, but we are treating the outbreaks very seriously."

The Minister assured stakeholders that appropriate action was being taken by the Department to contain the outbreak. This included the felling of infected larch and the application of necessary plant health controls. Within Forest Service, detailed felling plans have been developed and felling commenced at Woodburn Forest on 16 August and at Ballyboley Forest on 13 September 2010.

The Minister concluded by adding: "I urge all woodland owners and managers to remain vigilant for symptoms of the disease and report suspicious symptoms to Forest Service. Although the primary means of natural spread of the pathogen from the larch trees is by wind and moisture, visitors to infected forest areas are also being asked to observe local signage. Forest operators and wood processors should also follow the necessary bio-security precautions."

In the case of suspected infection in a garden or amenity situation, DARD Quality Assurance Branch should be contacted on 028 9052 5001. Where the suspected infection is in woodland, contact DARD Forest Service on 028 9052 4480.

Notes to editors:

1. P. ramorum has a potential to attack a wide range of woody plants and could cause significant damage to woodland and other habitat if it were to become established.
2. P. ramorum infection has been confirmed in Japanese larch trees (Larix kaempferi) in woodland managed by Forest Service and on a privately owned forest on the Antrim Plateau.
3. There are approximately 2,500 hectares of Japanese larch or woodland with a Japanese larch component in DARD woodland in the north of Ireland which represents about 4% of DARD woodland area.
4. The Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 requires the containment and eradication of plant material infected by listed pests and diseases. DARD Forest Service inspectors have the power to serve Detention or Destruction Notices and to take steps to ensure that the infection is contained, eradicated or treated. If the owner of the premises in question fails to comply with such a notice, under Article 37 of the Plant Health Order the inspector is permitted to take such steps as are necessary to ensure compliance with the requirement of the notice. This includes destruction or removal of infected plant material.
5. Further information on the disease is available on the Forestry Commission website.
6. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.