Trade restrictions brought in after Phytophthora pluvialis finding to be lifted in seven counties across England
Trade restrictions on conifer trees have been lifted across seven English counties today (Wednesday 4 March) after a review that concluded the tree disease Phytophthora pluvialis no longer meets the criteria for quarantine pest status.
Demarcated areas in Cornwall and Devon, Cumbria, Herefordshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire and Shropshire have been revoked with immediate effect, enabling the unrestricted movement of affected conifer species for the forestry and plant trade sector.
Phytophthora pluvialis is a fungus-like pathogen primarily affecting Douglas fir and Western hemlock. It was first identified in Great Britain on Western hemlock in Cornwall in September 2021, the first finding of the pathogen in Europe, and precautionary measures were introduced placing movement restrictions on affected areas.
The decision to lift restrictions follows four years of scientific study primarily undertaken by Forest Research to better understand the risk of the disease. Taken together with surveillance data that confirmed no positive findings had been identified at any nursery sites in the restricted areas, the UK's Plant Health Risk Group concluded the disease poses a low environmental and economic risk.
Demarcated areas in Scotland and Wales will also be lifted, reflecting a coordinated GB-wide approach to plant health policy.
Professor Nicola Spence, Defra Chief Plant Health Officer, said:
"This is a positive outcome for the forestry and plant trade sector, and underlines the importance of our robust, evidence-led plant health surveillance and research programmes.
"When this was first identified in Great Britain in 2021 there were significant uncertainties regarding its impact. Four years of Defra-funded research have shown Phytophthora pluvialis does not pose the level of risk to justify continued quarantine measures and has allowed us to now reassess the risk of this pathogen.
"However, we urge continued vigilance and cooperation from the public and trade by reporting any suspected findings via TreeAlert ."
Andrea Deol, Forestry Commission Head of Plant Health Forestry, said:
"Following four years of detailed research and surveillance, we are pleased to confirm that demarcated area restrictions across the affected counties in England have been revoked.
"I would encourage woodland owners to continue to look for signs of this disease and follow good biosecurity practices to reduce the risk of spread of pests and diseases to help us continue to protect the country's trees and woodland".
