Oak permitted to move within OPM restrictions

The Forestry Commission has in place operational zones and boundaries aimed at managing Oak Processionary Moth (OPM). From 24 May, a new demarcated area was established around the Buffer Zone and Established Area, enabling large oak trees to be moved within this boundary.

These new allowances apply to trees with girth at 1.2m above the root collar of 8cm or more only, provided that the trees are moved by professional operators and that biosecurity requirements are met along with movement restrictions.

OPM is a tree pest first identified in London in 2006 which has spread to some surrounding counties in the SouthEast of England. Its caterpillars feed on the leaves of several species of oak trees, causing them to lose their leaves, negatively impacting their growth, and making them more vulnerable to other stresses, such as drought.

Professor Nicola Spence, UK Chief Plant Health Officer, said: “Healthy oak trees are a vital component of a biodiverse and thriving environmental landscape. They are Great Britain’s most important tree for species biodiversity, supporting over 2,000 species of bird, mammal, fungi, invertebrate, bryophyte and lichen.

“This is why it is essential that to protect the health of our oak trees, we have regulations in place for the movement of large oak trees within the zones and boundaries designed to manage Oak Processionary Moth.”

Andrew Hoppit, Oak Processionary Moth Project Manager, added: “Oak Processionary Moth is a tree pest which can have a negative impact on tree health, and which can cause itchy rashes, eye, and throat irritations, when in physical contact with humans and pets.

“While we understand the importance of professional operators being able to move large oak trees, it is vital that we have in place stringent biosecurity requirements to ensure a risk-based approach for moving these trees.”

In March of this year, the Established Area in which OPM is established and the Buffer Zone in which an annual pro- gramme of OPM management takes place, was expanded in response to government surveillance.

Large oak trees will be able to be moved within the established area, or into the established area from the buffer zone, providing the following biosecurity requirements are met:

1. Biosecurity competence: Professional operators must demonstrate that they meet the Plant Health Management Standard evidenced through membership of the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme or provision of a Ready to Plant approval from Fera Science Ltd for each consignment to be moved. They must also demonstrate evidence of ongoing on-site monitoring for OPM and inspection of OPM prior to movement.

2. Official inspections: Professional operators must keep accurate records of the of the contact details of those receiving large oak trees, including the delivery address and contact details. They must store this information for a minimum of three years to ensure traceability of movements. This information can be recorded using the Post planting Inspections form.

Large oak trees will be able to be moved within the buffer zone if they meet two additional biosecurity requirements:

1. Phytosanitary treatments: Professional operators must have a robust control regime in place with appropriate phytosanitary treatments. These treatments must be applied in line with Defra Guidance on application of phytosanitary treatments for the control of OPM and records of all treatment applications must be kept for a minimum of 3 years.

2. Post-planting inspections: Professional operators must disclose the potential for post-planting inspection as part of the new legislation to buyers at the time of purchase. A proportion of high-risk large oak movements within the buffer zone will be subject to post-planting inspections by the plant health inspectors.

Professional operators who are growing or moving large oak trees, and who are impacted by the new movement restrictions, should consult with their local Plant Health inspector or the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate for further advice.

SMALL WOODLAND OWNER

Professor Julian Evans OBE FICFor