Concerns continue to mount over the potential impact of the spread of some key diseases from Europe and further afield.
Of greatest concern is Xylella fastidiosa – XF. As mentioned in last months bulletin there is very serious control measure in place where the disease is identified:
- Destruction of host plants within 100m (200+ species affected)
- 10km zone trading ban for host plants for 5 years
- Control of vector populations ie destruction of all their hosts inc weeds within 10km zone.
The implication is that all growers need to be vigilant as it impacts a very wide area that may include a range of businesses.
There are weekly reports of nurseries and traders avoiding purchasing from affected zones and even whole countries – leading to a collapse in the price of some stock in Italy.
A significant number of UK nurseries and garden centers are now committed to not knowingly purchasing plants from areas that have tested positive for XF. ADAS in their latest bulletin highlighted an EU long list of pests and disease to be alert to.
Latest developments of XF situation in Italy, France, Germany and Spain pdf of maps and lists of demarked areas samples below.
We have seen the economic cost of Ash dieback – we hope this “blight” never comes to our country!
