This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Sudden Oak Death
31/10/2002
New legislation is to be introduced from November 1,
2002, following a European Commission decision to extend to
all member states a ban on the import of susceptible plants
from parts of the USA where 'Sudden Oak Death' is known to
occur.
UK actions against the disease, which has resulted in
the death of many oaks and other native trees in the USA,
are now being extended to the whole of the European
Community.
Emergency notification requirements introduced by the
Executive in May will be replaced by an extension of the
plant passport regime to all rhododendrons, viburnums and
to other susceptible species imported from the USA.
Sudden Oak Death in the USA is caused by a
microscopic fungus called Phytophthora ramorum. A Forestry
Research Agency scientist discovered that the same fungus
was damaging rhododendrons and viburnums in Europe.
Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs
Department (SEERAD) inspectors began a survey of
susceptible plants in 2001. The first UK outbreak was found
in April 2002 in England. The first finding in Scotland
was recorded in May 2002.
Since then, the organism has been found at 17
horticultural premises in Scotland and 110 in England and
Wales. It has also been found on the Channel Isles.
However, it has not been found affecting trees.
Scottish and other UK Agricultural Departments
introduced emergency legislation in May 2002 following the
first UK finding of the fungus. The measures required
importers and growers to notify any movements of
rhododendron and viburnum and also included a ban on the
import of susceptible plants which could carry the organism
from areas of the USA where the disease is found.
Other Member States have also reported findings. In the
Netherlands there are reports that a fungus, now identified
as Phytophthora ramorum, was damaging plants in 1993,
although it was not named as a separate organism until
2001. In addition to the trade restrictions the new
measure will require all Member States to carry out surveys
for the disease in their own countries.
The Forest Research Agency and the Central Science
Laboratory are carrying out research into the
susceptibility of European tree species and ornamental
plants to the disease.