£25 million of Government funding to help eradicate two deadly plant diseases and safeguard the landscape of England and Wales is a positive move, says the NFU.
The funding will help support a five year programme to manage and contain the risks of Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae, the latter of which currently threatens woodland, heathlands and historic gardens in areas like the New Forest and Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.
Minister for Farming and the Environment Jane Kennedy made the announcement today (Tuesday) during a tour of National Trust site and Nymans Gardens in West Sussex.
Richard Hirst, NFU horticulture board chairman, said: "We welcome the £25 million boost to work within the area of quarantine plant health. Scientific reviews have highlighted that more action needs to be taken to manage Phytophthora kernoviae epidemics within woodlands and gardens. With the aim to eradicate this disease, the funding announced by the Minister today will be much needed to support this work. The same reviews have found that the management and control measures used currently for Phytophthora ramorum are effective and in line with EU requirements.
"The NFU will work with Defra to ensure future management of these two diseases is targeted accordingly, and that, in respect of Phytophthora ramorum control, implementation of the five-year programme does not place burdens on UK ornamental plant producers that put them at a competitive disadvantage with growers elsewhere in the EU.
"We also look forward to the opportunity for continued consultation with the Government as the five-year programme is rolled out, to build on the good work already done by ornamental plant producers on biosecurity procedures, and to ensure a coordinated and effective approach is taken to the management of these diseases."