First Case Of Ash Tree Disease Confirmed

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first case of ash dieback disease has been found in a native Irish tree.

Since October 2012, 96 cases of the fungus outbreak has been identified in imported trees across Ireland, but inspectors have recently identified the 97th case in Co Leitrim, close to where the first cluster of cases were discovered. This newest case was found in a hedgerow tree and officials from the Department of Agriculture have said this is the first time the disease has been found in native Irish ash.

Consequently, eradication measures have been put in place in the area and all ash trees in hedgerows within 250m of the plantation are to be removed and burned or buried.

Following the announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Tom Hayes TD said: "I am fully aware of the significance of this finding and have asked my officials to put a comprehensive eradication plan into place immediately. This will start today (Monday October 7) with the assistance of Coillte.

"There has been a massive effort to survey for this disease and remove the disease anywhere it has presented itself. We will continue this policy of eradication and will keep the policy under constant review as results come in from the surveys. My officials have discussed the latest finding with their counterparts in Northern Ireland as we have a joint all-Ireland strategy for Chalara."

The Leitrim site was planted with imported ash plants in 2009 and these imported plants were confirmed positive for Chalara fraxinea in October 2012. This was the first site in Ireland where Chalara fraxinea was detected.

To date, it remains by far the largest known outbreak of the disease in Ireland.

(JP/IT)