© Natural Ecology Mitigation Ltd

The Campaign to Save our Trees

“Deciduous trees worldwide are under threat from virulent bacterial and fungal diseases which, unchecked, will dramatically alter our landscapes and cause massive and costly environmental and commercial damage” Source: Forest Research – March 2012

No Defence? Fungal and bacterial infections are airborne and also spread by insects, the movement of ornamental plants, the nursery and timber trades and by humans. The whole of the British Isles is now affected.

Patented - with further associated opportunities The Treatment – CuPC33 Patented - with further associated opportunities Proven - successful in-vitro tests against Chalara fraxinea, Phytophthora ramorum, Pseudomonas syringae and more

Evaluation of CuPC33 for Tree Pathogen Control Interim Report for Natural Ecology Mitigation Limited Prepared 10th May 2013 By Dr G Percival “Results conclude CuPC33 displayed fungicidal properties against several key tree pathogens, however, the concentration required to totally inhibit growth differed between pathogens. “ “Based on results of this investigation the median lethal dose (LD 50) for CuPC33 for Chalara fraxinea in this study is circa. 150 ppm of elemental copper. The actual LD 50 will be lower as the use of malt agar reduces the efficacy of CuPC33 by complexing the copper and/or the binder.”

Effective - against bacterial and fungal tree diseases CuPC33 Effective - against bacterial and fungal tree diseases Versatile - foliar application, direct onto canker/lesion and trunk injection Environmentally sustainable - used at a much lower ppm, typically 10-30% of any other copper compound, all components Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS)

International Distribution and Licensing The threats to billions of mature trees creates a range of market opportunities: - Trade Products Consumer Products International Distribution and Licensing New market development (coffee rust, citrus greening etc)

The opportunity is now...

“Bacterial and fungal diseases represent an increasing threat to Britain’s forest, woodland and amenity trees” Forest Research Chalara fraxinea, Phytophthora ramorum and Pseudomonas syringae are some of the most prevalent threats in the UK at present, but other diseases have arrived and are spreading

Ashmageddon: How one of the glories of the British countryside could be wiped out by a foreign invader My favourite tree in the world is in a small clearing in a Pembrokeshire wood, hemmed in on one side by a spring, and on the other by a hedgerow. I used to climb it as a boy, 30 years ago. A nest of gently-curving, pale grey branches offered endless easy footholds, and as I climbed higher, the tree opened up and the branches thinned, offering open, three-mile views down to the Welsh coast and the Irish Sea. But now, my favourite tree is at grave risk. I didn’t realise it at the time, but it was an ash tree — one of 80 million in this country, making up 30 per cent of all British woodland. Under threat: Ashes are Britain's third most common tree and can be found all over the country Daily Mail – 2nd October 2012

Chalara fraxinea (Ash dieback) CuPC33 Lab Test: Positive CuPC33 Field Test: Pending investment New. Red Alert Widespread in Denmark, Poland, Germany, Austria, Benelux. Recent arrival in the UK (2012), spreading rapidly

CuPC33 Lab Test: Positive CuPC33 Field Test: Pending investment Pseudomonas syringae (Bleeding Canker of the Horse Chestnut) CuPC33 Lab Test: Positive CuPC33 Field Test: Pending investment Widespread Now affecting 70% of the UK’s horse chestnuts nationwide, from Scotland to Cornwall

Phytophthoras Non-native pathogens attacking trees, plants and crops in every temperate country Described Phytophthoras at end 1999 – 55 Described Phytophthoras 2000-2009 – 50+ Estimated ‘unknowns’ 2010 – 500+

Phytophthora ramorum (affects oak and larch) CuPC33 Lab Test: Positive CuPC33 Field Test: Pending investment Widespread Attacking oaks, larch and other deciduous trees – a major problem in the USA, now spreading rapidly in the UK and Europe

Phytophthora ramorum Ornamental plants are hosts and carriers Rhododendron Laburnum Acer Pieris Magnolia Home gardeners can join the fight against tree disease by using CuPC33 on their ornamentals

CuPC33 Lab Test and Field Test: Pending investment Phytophthora kernoviae (a new, highly aggressive strain of Phytophthora) CuPC33 Lab Test and Field Test: Pending investment Spreading Attacking the European beech, also rhododendron, magnolia, pieris and many other ornamental plants

Phytophthora austrocedrae (species of Phytophthora from Argentina/Chile) CuPC33 Lab Test and Field Test: Pending investment Spreading Attacking Lawson/Nootka cypress and juniper. Confirmed in the UK in 2011 and already nationwide.

Phytophthora cinnamomi (attacks sweet chestnut, beech and yew) CuPC33 Lab Test: Positive CuPC33 Field Test: Pending investment Widespread Root-infecting, transmission believed to be through groundwater. Already a serious problem in the UK and in many other countries.

Splanchnonema platani (infects the London plane) CuPC33 Lab Test: Positive CuPC33 Field Test: Pending investment Recent Arrival Now attacking plane trees in London. It has recently spread to the UK from Germany and Holland .

Ophiostoma nova-ulmi (Dutch Elm Disease) CuPC33 Lab Test: Positive CuPC33 Field Test: Pending investment Returning? Killed 25 million UK elms in 1960s. Incidence now on the increase, especially in Scotland

Ceratocystis platani (an invasive fungal pathogen) Next for the UK? Ceratocystis platani (an invasive fungal pathogen) CuPC33 Lab Test and Field Test: Pending investment Widespread just across the Channel Native American pathogen devastating France’s canalside planes and poplars, also in Italy, Switzerland and Greece

the destruction along the Canal du Midi Happening now – the destruction along the Canal du Midi

CuPC33 Transmissibility testing and controlled trials began in 2012 and are continuing. Foliar application and trunk injection trials are planned for summer 2013.

Simple Economics Mature trees are costly to remove/dispose (Safe disposal is required. Burning spreads the pathogens. Most timber cannot be used) Mature trees are inexpensive to treat, preserving amenity and environmental value

Obstacles... Government policy is wrong. The DEFRA ‘Control Plan’ for Ash dieback is a monitoring plan which will not save a single tree

Widespread Support “I am devastated to think that our Ash may disappear and would like to try and protect the ones on our 3 a cres and in the locality if possible. I know your product is undergoing trials against Chalara Fraxinea but I am willing to purchase the product, if possible, to treat my own trees and even to start up a business to protect other Ash trees. To sum up – can I purchase any CuPC33?”

Widespread Support “I have 5 acres near Watford set out as parkland. The garden is most important to me.  Ash comprise perhaps the most important specimen trees I have therefore I will go to considerable lengths to save them. I have perhaps 100 ash trees of all ages and sizes. I wish to try the most likely remedy to save my trees. If this could help your research that would be excellent.”

Widespread Support “I very much share your 'can do' and 'must do' attitude towards dealing with these threats to our biodiversity. Also, I would be more than happy to be of any help in any way that I can. For example writing to MPs, the environmental groups that I am a member of, such as the RSPB, Woodland Trust, CPRE, or anyone else that you feel it would be worth contacting.”

Widespread Support “Over the last 35 years I have been managing our woods through Dutch Elm Disease and numerous serious windblow from gales. We have kept the Forestry Commission somewhat at arms length as I have had and continue to do so, little confidence in their knowledge and enthusiasm of practical forestry. They seem to be led by Whitehall bureaucrats and the treasury. I have been trying to get the politicians of both parties to formulate a comprehensive forestry policy since 1995, to date without success.  I was more than encouraged to read about you and your company and would like to cooperate as much as possible.”

Consequences

Consequences Tree disease is a major cost and amenity issue for every tree owner in the UK. We simply cannot stand by and watch our trees die.

NEM Business Development Mitigation services to major tree owners Training services for local authorities and tree surgeons/contractors Bulk sales of CuPC33 Consumer product for ornamentals International licensing and distribution

Prime Target Markets: Phase 1 UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, NE USA, California/Oregon, Canada

Prime Target Markets: Phase 2 Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Chile

NEM Opportunity Exclusive patented solutions Technical/application development programme ready Experienced management team R&D collaboration with leading UK and international experts Strategic trade partnerships UK and international business potential

What Lies Ahead

Spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media Save Our Trees Join the campaign Support NEM via CrowdCube.com (every investment, large or small, is welcome and appreciated) Spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media Write to your MP

Speed is of the essence

For downloadable documents and video for easy distribution www.nem-trees.com For downloadable documents and video for easy distribution