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FIANNA FÁIL SPOKESPERSON on Agriculture, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, today called for rigorous implementation of government policy in relation to the ash dieback disease.
The disease, which is widespread across continental Europe and Britain spread to Ireland with the first finding confirmed last month in Leitrim.
In the Dáil last week, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said the consignment, made up of some 30,000 plants imported from continental Europe was planted over 11 sites.
The ash trees at each of these 11 sites were cut and destroyed by burning last month.
Protective measures
Measures have been put in place including making it an offence to import plants from areas known to have the disease.
Furthermore, the movement of plants within the country is now also subject to plant passport requirements and legislation was introduced which control ash wood movement into Ireland, including firewood and hurley ash.
Ó Cúiv said he welcomed the measures that have been introduced but said it is important that there is “rigorous implementation” of the measures to ensure the ash forests in Ireland are protected.
The Fianna Fáil TD also urged the government to engage with the main importers of ash trees in Ireland.
“Businesses that import or use ash need to be informed of the emergency measures the government has introduced, they need to be fully aware of what is required of them in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading further in Ireland,” he said.
Cross border cooperation
Last week the first outbreak of ash dieback was confirmed at five sites in Northern Ireland and a number of other sites are also being investigated.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine told TheJournal.ie that the Minister has been in constant contact with Northern authorities on the matter.
“This is something we’re looking at as an all country issue and we’re working with the authorities in the North,” he said.
A survey by the department on imported ash plants around the country over the last four years is underway and the spokesperson said the department will appraise the findings when it is complete.
The results of the survey are expected in the next couple of weeks.
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Yes.. They are all concerned now because Ash is something that you can make money out of… I didn’t hear any uproar when a disease hit all the chestnut trees in Europe and Ireland last year??
I would like to have a rigorous check on the disease that is commonly known as FF.
Well on the road to rehabillitation.
FF?! Hahahah
Is this tree fungus a personal threat to gangly o’Cuiv. Always thought there was a bit of a wood spirit vibe about him.
All he called for was the implementation of Coveneys orders. I think Coveney is more than capable of ensuring that and does not need such puerile encouragement . Headline seeking.
“The results of the survey are expected in the next couple of weeks”
Boat has sailed on this one
England is projecting 80% loss and hoping that some variants of ash might survive
tragic news
FF really are trying hard, bless. Since when did they care about the environment?
Do they make brown envelopes from ash ??
Was it Minister Coveney, who, earlier today said he’d be “ruthless in protecting our ash trees”?
Trees/ Ruthless/,rootless…??
FF must surely be destined for the ashes. Very clever Eamon, a seasoned political hand speaks. Pity the opinion polls wouldn’t consign this bogus bunch away. It only makes sense to ‘regulate’ the importation of ash and all tree species. Holland sent some infected batches here and begs the big Q as to how they were permitted out of the country to here. Let not commerce infect our trees here. Eamon Ó Cuiv and the FF’ers could learn a few things about regulation.
I think think to government need to worry about this, let whoever they sold the Irish forests to worry about it.
have your say