§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of Sudden Oak Death have so far been reported to her Department; what(a) preventative and (b) remedial 58W action she (i) has taken and (ii) will take in regard to Sudden Oak Death; and what treatments are available for Sudden Oak Death. [83033]
§ Mr. MeacherThere have been no reported cases of Sudden Oak Death in Europe.
A strain of Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen which has caused Sudden Oak Death in parts of California, has been found on rhododendron and viburnum plants in a number of European countries in recent years. There have been 122 findings in England and Wales since the first one in April this year. In each case infected plants and those adjacent have been destroyed. Plants in a surrounding cordon sanitaire have been held for further monitoring. In response to a UK initiative, EU measures came into force on 1 November. These require member states to survey for the disease and apply precautionary measures through the plant passport system to prevent spread on nursery stock. Defra inspectors will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures.
Defra and the Forestry Commission are funding research to address uncertainties in the risk assessment for the European strain of the pathogen, in particular to determine whether native European trees are susceptible. No effective eradicatory fungicides are known at present, but Defra and Forestry Commission scientists are closely following research into treatments in the affected areas of the USA. Further information is available on the Defra website at defraweb/planth/ what.htm.