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general view of a young Common Ash Tree which shows the symptoms of the deadly plant pathogen fungus. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

FF calls for strong enforcement of measures to prevent ash dieback spread

A survey on sites with imported ash plants over the last four years is expected in the coming weeks.

FIANNA FÁIL SPOKESPERSON on Agriculture, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, today called for rigorous implementation of government policy in relation to the ash dieback disease.

The disease, which is widespread across continental Europe and Britain spread to Ireland with the first finding confirmed last month in Leitrim.

In the Dáil last week, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said the consignment, made up of some 30,000 plants imported from continental Europe was planted over 11 sites.

The ash trees at each of these 11 sites were cut and destroyed by burning last month.

Protective measures

Measures have been put in place including making it an offence to import plants from areas known to have the disease.

Furthermore, the movement of plants within the country is now also subject to plant passport requirements and legislation was introduced which control ash wood movement into Ireland, including firewood and hurley ash.

Ó Cúiv said he welcomed the measures that have been introduced but said it is important that there is “rigorous implementation” of the measures to ensure the ash forests in Ireland are protected.

The Fianna Fáil TD also urged the government to engage with the main importers of ash trees in Ireland.

“Businesses that import or use ash need to be informed of the emergency measures the government has introduced, they need to be fully aware of what is required of them in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading further in Ireland,” he said.

Cross border cooperation

Last week the first outbreak of ash dieback was confirmed at five sites in Northern Ireland and a number of other sites are also being investigated.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine told TheJournal.ie that the Minister has been in constant contact with Northern authorities on the matter.

“This is something we’re looking at as an all country issue and we’re working with the authorities in the North,” he said.

A survey by the department on imported ash plants around the country over the last four years is underway and the spokesperson said the department will appraise the findings when it is complete.

The results of the survey are expected in the next couple of weeks.

Related: Further restrictions on ash imports imposed as disease continues to spread>

More: Ban on ash tree imports as fungus hits Ireland>

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15 Comments
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    Mute shane mullally
    Favourite shane mullally
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:08 AM

    Looking at that list-wish I stayed in bed!..:-)..

    11
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    Mute Clare Swift
    Favourite Clare Swift
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:17 AM

    “the secretly general” shhh…it’s a secret ;)

    8
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    Mute Cathal Hogan
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:57 AM

    No. 8 doesn’t refer to a country. I know it’s the US, but it’d be no harm to actually state it.

    7
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    Mute Eric Davies
    Favourite Eric Davies
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    Aug 30th 2013, 12:31 PM

    ” there is no one more sorry than i am” sorry brian your wrong again, theres about 4 million people more ‘sorry’ than you are about irelands economic state. all of them irish citizens, some have lost members of their own families due to suicide , others have seen children and grandchildren leave these shores doubfull if they’ll ever return, people have lost their homes, and are STILL losing them to the greedy banks and financial institutions that YOU protected, there is little or no work for those who have lost their jobs and for those fortunate enough to be still in a job there are ‘extra’ charges and levies that see their income shrink before it hits their pockets. then there are all of those who reley on social welfare, the elderly, the disabled, the 1000′s of families who are struggling to put a decent meal on the table and are already worried sick about the forthcoming budget, fearfull of further cuts and price hikes in electricity and gas prices, fearfull of hikes in ‘carbon taxs’ (remember you introduced them along with your green party pals) pushing up the price of coal or briquettes, wondering if they will have to choose between putting on meal on the table or a fire in the grate.
    but its not all doom and gloom,well not for you and your ilk anyway, you still have your very genorous ‘pension’ and you could always apply for a back to education grant, like you did a while back. its not SORRY you should be feeling brian it’s SHAME .

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    Mute Ken Fallon
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    Aug 31st 2013, 8:58 AM

    eric whats the story with the education grant did he actually apply and get it.

    1
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    Mute Emer Ní Raghallaigh
    Favourite Emer Ní Raghallaigh
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:16 AM

    What has number 8 got to do with anything?? # strike???

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    Mute conor hickey
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:09 AM

    I’m sure Cowen can be forgiven.

    5
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    Mute Aine Nibhern
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:25 AM

    FF had policies in place that helped overheat the economy. And when people/economists shouted STOP Bertie told them to go and commit suicide. I wonder how many suicides since then have been connected to the financial crisis? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFBfkusf8R0

    Suicide helpline ~ http://www.1life.ie/

    And another thing, good to see democracy working in the House of Commons last night. As opposed to our crap system.

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    Mute Francis Devenney
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:19 AM

    secretly general?

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