Department launches campaign to eradicate devastating ash disease

Evidence indicating a spread of ash dieback disease has prompted an “eradication plan” at the country’s first confirmed disease site in Co Leitrim.

Ash dieback (chalara fraxinea) is a highly contagious disease which has had devastating effects on ash tree populations in parts of Europe.

The first recorded, and single largest Irish outbreak, was detected in Co Leitrim in Oct 2012. It is believed the disease was introduced in imported saplings.

Since that detection, a further 96 cases of the disease have been recorded across the country. An all-island strategy was introduced and an extensive survey was conducted. A systematic survey of Ireland’s hedge-rows as well as a targeted survey of hedgerows surrounding infected plantations was carried out.

Yesterday, the Department of Agriculture confirmed that trees have tested positive at both internal hedgerows within the first confirmed site and a hedgerow tree external to the plantation in Co Leitrim.

Tom Hayes, junior agriculture minister, said: “I am fully aware of the significance of this finding and have asked my officials to put a comprehensive eradication plan in place immediately.”

He said it began yesterday with the assistance of forestry group Coillte.

He said “there has been a massive effort to survey for this disease and remove the disease anywhere it has presented itself”.

“We will continue this policy of eradication and will keep the policy under constant review as results come in from the surveys.

“My officials have discussed the latest finding with their counterparts in Northern Ireland as we have a joint all-Ireland strategy for Chalara,” said Mr Hayes.

Information on ash dieback disease is available on the Teagasc forestry website and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine’s Chalara webpage at exa.mn/ashdieback