NEWS
PLANT HEALTH UPDATE Caroline Ayre summarises the latest developments in tree health.
The larger eight-toothed European spruce beetle is back? Ips typographus is a destructive pest of spruce trees. An outbreak was discovered in a woodland in Kent in December 2018 but was successfully eradicated. Since then, the Forestry Commission has been conducting enhanced surveillance across the southeast of England. This year, several further outbreaks have been found in Kent and East Sussex as a result of the beetle having been blown over from the continent. The beetle is endemic to mainland Europe, but until 2018 it had not been known to be present in the UK. The species is therefore regulated as a Quarantine Pest to protect us from the introduction of the beetle. The Forestry Commission’s contingency1 plan sets out the steps to be taken if an outbreak of larger eighttoothed European spruce bark beetle is discovered in Great Britain. The plan was put into action during the 2018 Kent event and is being followed to control the current outbreak in Kent and East Sussex. The species is subject to the Plant Health (Ips typographus) (England) Order 2019, which gives the Forestry Commissioners powers to take steps to prevent spread of the pest from outbreak sites. More detailed information about these powers and restrictions, and the actions taken in Kent and East Sussex, is available on the government website2. If this pest was to become established in England, it would have a major impact on our wood-based industries and environment. By actively managing your woodlands, you can increase their resilience and protect them against future threats. The beetle prefers stressed or dying trees. Recent finding have been on individual, wind-damaged trees. If you own spruce in the area highlighted on the map (see above) you may be eligible for support to fell and restock your woodland to aid landscape recovery. Maintenance payments for newly replanted trees are
with the cost of felling trees and restocking your woodlands.
also available if you qualify. Speak to your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer about getting involved in the new Tree Health Pilot Scheme which could help
(1) www.forestresearch.gov.uk/ documents/7317/Ips-typographus_ contingency-plan.pdf (2) www.gov.uk/guidance/eighttoothed-european-spruce-bark-beetleips-typographus
Consultation on the Plant Biosecurity Strategy This consultation has been launched by the governments of England, Scotland and Wales to inform Great Britain’s (GB) approach to plant biosecurity over the next five years. Responses will help inform the new GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy that will be published in 2022. Responses should be received by 30 November 2021.
20 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • October 2021
Confor will be submitting a response. If you have any comments or wish to have your views expressed please contact caroline@confor.org.uk.
Visit www.consult.defra.gov.uk/ gb-plant-biosecurity-strategy/a-plantbiosecurity-strategy-for-great-britain/
CONFOR.ORG.UK
