26 October 2012
The Department of Environment has imposed an immediate and indefinite ban on the importation of Ash trees to Jersey to prevent the accidental introduction of Ash Dieback Disease, caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinia.
The ban follows the discovery of ash trees infected by Chalara fraxinea in several nurseries and sites where the trees have been planted recently in England and Scotland. The infected plants came from nurseries in continental Europe, or had been in contact with ash plants imported from the Continent.
The ban is currently voluntary, with all traders and importers already informed and cooperating. It will become official in the next few days.
High alert
The UK plant health authorities are requiring the destruction of all infected ash plants before the disease has a chance to become established in the UK. Plant health authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland are also on high alert for the disease.
The Head of Plant Health at Jersey's Environment Department, Scott Meadows, said “Jersey’s trees and woods have a very important role in our environment, landscape, health and well-being and must be protected from these organisms. Control and eradication of such organisms after an outbreak is difficult and costly, if possible at all.
“Ash Dieback is a new threat to our native trees and no symptoms have yet been detected in Jersey. The Department of Environment is taking action now to protect our environment and avoid a situation like Dutch Elm disease in the 1960s.
"I would urge the public to act responsibly and avoid bringing plant material into Jersey from other areas. I would also appeal to people to clean soil and debris from clothing, equipment and footwear before returning home."
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