'Decisive Action' Needed Over Ash Dieback

Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has called for "decisive action" to deal with the risk of ash dieback arriving in Northern Ireland.

The Minister made the comments as she met with forestry industry stakeholders to discuss potential measures to deal with the disease.

Chalara ash dieback is caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea. Already more than 100,000 ash trees have been felled in the UK to prevent the spread of the disease since it was first identified in March.

Last Friday Michelle O’Neill announced emergency legislation to control the import of ash trees into Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the meeting yesterday the Minister said: "I am concerned at both the risk of infection and the loss of our trees if we do not take decisive action. At the same time I am sensitive to the fact that the ban on imports may have a detrimental impact on many traditional industries, such as hurley stick manufactures.

"Today’s meeting has it allowed me to get first hand insight into the stakeholders immediate concerns. It also provided the opportunity for them to be updated on additional measures my Department is undertaking on a daily basis relating to the control and monitoring of ash plants at nursery and retail premises, and at sites of recent planting in both amenity and woodland areas for any signs of this damaging disease."

The Minister has been engaged in cross border talks as part a 'Fortress Ireland' approach to deal with the disease.

"I will be raising the views of these stakeholders with my southern counterpart Simon Conveny and will be highlighting to him that together we should be continuing to instil a Fortress Ireland approach to preventing the spread of the disease across the island," she said.

"This Friday I will also be meeting with Minister of State Shane McEntee to discuss further measures to strengthen this approach."

(IT)