Tree Health Resilience Strategy to protect England’s trees from pests and diseases

Proposals to consult industry on new quarantine arrangements for high-risk plants are among the measures set out in the government’s plan to protect the UK’s trees.

Currently quarantine is used by some horticulture businesses as part of strong biosecurity measures against high-risk species. Government wants to explore how this targeted approach can be broadened to ensure better protection against harmful pests and diseases across the industry.

The Tree Health Resilience Strategy, the first major publication to come out of the 25-Year Environment Plan, sets out a new proactive approach to tree health, with landowners, charities, the public and government working together to take actions to build resilience against pests and diseases to protect the nation’s trees which are worth an estimated £175 billion.

As part of this approach, a new senior cross-industry Plant Health Alliance to strengthen biosecurity practices across industry has been established. The Alliance brings together the country’s leading nurseries, retailers, tree suppliers, landscapers, foresters, the RHS and Defra to ensure an effective response to threats such as Xylella and Emerald Ash Borer.

The strategy also includes launching the ‘Don’t Risk It’ campaign to raise awareness of the risks of bringing back plant materials from holiday destinations

It also includes strengthening protection against Xylella by maintaining continuous scrutiny of the risk situation and taking measures to maintain the strongest possible controls.

Christine Reid, head of conservation for the Woodland Trust, said: "The Woodland Trust welcomes this strategy. It is an important step in coordinating the UK’s efforts to combat tree pests and diseases; we rely on our beloved trees, yet they are facing too many threats.

"We need an effective biosecurity strategy, we need to plant more UK-sourced trees, and we need to develop the forestry sector. With the necessary knowledge, skills and capacity, we can ensure a healthy, resilient tree population."

Sir Harry Studholme, chair of the Forestry Commission said:

"Publishing this strategy is a critical milestone in our ongoing work to safeguard England’s trees.

It provides clear direction on how we can work collaboratively across sectors, to combat tree pests and diseases, to protect our beloved forests and woodlands for not only our current generation but for the future."