All-Ireland Ash Dieback Strategy Confirmed

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have agreed on an all-island strategy to combat ash dieback disease.

Agriculture Ministers Michelle O’Neill and Tom Hayes have finalised a strategy to to prevent Chalara ash dieback disease becoming established in Ireland.

Minister O’Neill said: "The fact that Ireland is an island, isolated from potential sources of infection, suggests that there is a reasonable hope of preventing or slowing down the disease from becoming established here. The effectiveness of our approach is likely to depend on detecting and eradicating any incidence of the disease within Ireland before it spreads to ash trees in the wider environment."

Minister Hayes said: "Ash dieback is a serious tree disease and ash trees are of particular landscape, environmental and cultural value in Ireland. So far, this disease has only been found in recently planted ash trees linked to imports and our aim is to reduce the risk of the disease becoming established here. The strategy is comprehensive and covers many elements including our joint approaches on eradication, research into breeding for resistance, engaging with the public and other stakeholders and advice for woodland owners."

The Ministers discussed this year’s surveillance plans, disease findings and the support available to woodland owners to destroy and replace affected ash plants.

Minister Hayes added: "A clearer picture of the extent of Chalara ash dieback will become evident over the summer months as both Departments intensify surveillance. The Strategy will be kept under constant review based on this ongoing surveillance and the development of scientific knowledge of this complex disease."

(IT/CD)