The Government has set out its strategy to tackle the ash dieback disease that is affecting the UK's ash trees. The Chalara Control Plan establishes the Government's objectives for tackling the disease as well as reaffirming their commitment to focus on:
It is important that the UK's estimated 80 million ash trees are protected as they form a key part of the landscape as well as playing a role in habitats. As the National Trust's Ian Wright highlighted, some flora and fauna are only found on ash trees, such as rare lichens, mosses and wood boring insects.
The Government have already implemented some measures to reduce the speed of the spread, including banning the importation of ash trees and the movement of such trees around the country.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said, "While the science tells us it won’t be possible to eradicate this disease, we mustn’t give up on British ash. The plan I have set out today shows our determination to slow the spread and minimise the impact of Chalara."
However, the plan has been criticised by the National Trust, which currently looks after 61,776 acres of woodland and forest. Dr Simon Pryor, the National Trust's Director of the Natural Environment, criticised "the limited actions and weak commitments" as "far too little, too late".
The Trust believes that the Government should significantly increase its commitments before the March publication of the updated plans.
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