12 April 2013

All-Ireland Chalara Control Strategy Draft Strategy published jointly by DARD and DAFM on the 12 April Available on DARD and DAFM web sites. Looking for your comments by 30 April on how the draft Strategy can be improved/ developed. Publish a revised Strategy in May, taking account of your comments and science e.g. Pest Risk Analysis will be published soon.

Scope of the Control Strategy States our policy - identification, control and eradication of the causal agents of Chalara ash die-back. Sets out the actions we will take to implement this policy. The all-Ireland approach takes advantage of our island status to give as much protection as possible against disease spread. States the evidence to date that the disease has only been found in young trees, there is no evidence that the disease is established in the wider environment. Acknowledges that the disease is complex, our knowledge is incomplete and we need to continue to work with scientists.

DARD and DAFM Plant Health Policy Strategic Policy to maintain and improve the islands plant health status. Operational Objective to implement EC and national regulation to develop efficient markets, without unnecessary burden on producers, by preventing the introduction or spread of serious plant pest and diseases that threaten agriculture, horticulture, forestry and biodiversity.

Strategic Aims Contain and eradicate the disease and minimise the risk of it spreading and becoming established in the wider environment. Make a case for the establishment of a Pest Free Area (by end of 2013) and progress to Protected Zone status.

Risks to achieving Strategic Aims Discover that the disease is established in the wider environment – at this point we need to re- evaluate our policy options. Insufficient evidence to support establishment of a Pest Free Area or Protected Zone status. Insufficient public acceptance of the environmental and social costs of containment and eradication. New scientific evidence emerges which indicates that containment/ eradication of the disease is unlikely.

Operational Objectives 1Reduce the risk of the disease becoming established in the wider environment. 2Support research on modelling the spread of the disease and developing resistance to the disease. 3Encourage industry, landowner, voluntary organisation and general public engagement and action in tackling the problem. 4Plan for resilience in woodland and to support associated industries in the event that the disease becomes established here in the wider environment.

Objective 1: Reduce the risk of the disease becoming established in the wider environment. Based on the hypothesis that Chalara is not established in the wider environment, and if present, has arrived here in young plants for planting

Import and movement restrictions on ash trees, wood and bark introduced via emergency legislation. Surveillance plans- risk based, intelligence led, remaining responsive to new findings and science. Actions on findings of the disease in recently planted trees – regulatory action at a site to contain and eradicate the pathogen. Reduce the risk of the disease becoming established here by:

Objective 2: Support research on modelling the spread of the disease and developing resistance to the disease. Knowledge of the disease is limited and we will continue to engage with scientists in Ireland, GB and Europe to inform our approach. We will engage with research on modelling the spread of the disease. On a precautionary basis we will also engage in new research to understand ash genetics and identify resistance.

Objective 3: Encourage industry, landowner, voluntary organisation and general public engagement and action in tackling the problem. Stakeholders play a key role in tackling the disease and contributing to the development of this Strategy. We will continue to meet and listen to what you have to say. We will maintain phone help lines, web sites with information/ photographs and Q&As. Highlight the issue at public events e.g. Balmoral Show. Widen public engagement by endorsing popular reporting mechanisms, such as AshTag, in tackling the disease.

Objective 4: Plan for resilience in woodland and to support associated industries in the event that the disease becomes established in the wider environment. On a precautionary basis, consider action to adapt to the disease were it to become established. Provide advice for woodland owners i.e. Develop/reference existing guidance on alternative species, silvicultural systems, felling and woodland management. Provide advice to the ash timber using industry. Provide advice to the horticultural trade to reduce the risk of introducing new pests including opportunities to grow stock locally.

Next Steps Analyse your comments (please send by the 30 April) Publish a revised Strategy in early May, taking account of these comments and new science e.g. Pest Risk Analysis will be published soon. Keep the Strategy under constant review in response to information about the disease in Ireland and scientific knowledge.