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Issues surrounding Plant Health and Diseases
Last updated 5 July 2010

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August 23, 2010
A Conker Tree Science web site has been set up to encourage a nation wide survey of the leaf-mining moth Cameraria across the UK. Includes activities for children, including teacher notes.




Oak Processionary Moth has been found again this year (2010) in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Richmond Park, Syon Park, Old Deer Park, Richmond Athletic sports grounds.






FERA have had three confirmed findings of adult Citrus longhorn beetles (Anoplophora chinensis) reported in different areas of England (Merseyside, East Sussex and Rutland). The most recent was at Langham Primary School near Oakham, Rutland (Hort Week 6/08/2010). During the same period they have also had a single finding of the closely related Asian Longhorn Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) in Cumbria (probably from packing material).
In each case the beetles were captured and there was no evidence to suggest there is an established population of the pest in the UK. http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/plantHealth/pestsDiseases/whatsNew.cfm

Phytophthora ramorum (USA) Nursery Industry Best Management Practices Manual
The California Oak Mortality Task Force was established in August 2000 and is a nonprofit organization, under the California Forest Pest Council, that brings together public agencies, other nonprofit organizations, and private interests to address Phytophthora ramorum-related issues. The Task Force is implementing a comprehensive and unified approach for research, management, education, and public policy in the USA. see their webpage here..


Be Plant Wise campaign
The Be Plant Wise campaign, launched by Defra and the Scottish Government, is designed to raise awareness among gardeners, pond owners and retailers of the damage caused by invasive aquatic plants and to encourage the public to dispose of these plants correctly. The Horticultural Trade Association, Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association, Royal Horticultural Society, and wild plant conservation charity Plantlife are all supporting the campaign.


National Trust: Plant Quarantine & Biosecurity Guidance Notes

In response to the outbreak of Phytophthora on National Trust properties in the South-West of England, Dr David Slawson (Head of Pest and Disease identification programme at the Food and Environment Research Agency) was contracted to develop a strategy and prepare guidance for the Trust to deal with the problem. As well as preparing guidance for Phytophthora, Dr Lawson has developed a set of notes to cover other areas of plant hygiene and biosecurity advice. We are most grateful to Mike Calnan, Head of Parks and Gardens at the National Trust, for permission to make these advice sheets available here.
PlantNetwork Spring Conference - Pests, Diseases and Invasive Plants: running a Clean Garden
22–24 March 2010
The Ridge, University of Sheffield
The meeting addressed the growing problems we face, both current and potential, from plant pests and diseases as well as invasive plants. There is an urgent need for all gardens and organisation to establish a set of common principles and actions to not only minimise the risks, but also to define a collective responsibility.
Past meeting on Pests and diseases on trees and shrubs – how to recognise symptoms
held on 24 June 2009
Central Science Laboratories
Nine talks were given by staff from the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) who kindly organised the day for PlantNetwork. The powerpoints and several other documents are available on our past meetings page

JNCC information on: Novel Phytophthora and biodiversity impacts (www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3717)

Overview, research and Reporting outbreaks. Downloads of verious papers and presentations are also available on this site, such as a Paper prepared for the Country Agency Chief Scientists’ Group, a Presentation on JNCC's work, and Specification of research work.
PHYTOPHTHORA INDUSTRY LIAISON GROUP minutes
A Project to oversee delivery in England and Wales of the new project against Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae. Minutes of meeting held on 24 August 2009 at Foss House, York.
RAPRA (European Pest Risk Analysis for Phytophthora ramorum) (rapra.csl.gov.uk)
The overall objective of the project RAPRA is to produce a European Pest Risk Analysis for Phytophthora ramorum including risk management strategies and contingency plans applicable to the pathogen within the European Union. The Pest Risk Analysis is the key deliverable in this project. The project started on 1 January 2004.

Plant Health Guidelines

In July 2004, PlantNetwork held a workshop, for staff in botanic and heritage gardens, at the Eden Project: Foreign Bugs: Managing Pests and Diseases in a World of Increasing Imports. After the meeting, there were calls from several organisations for guidance on complying with international legislation and implementing quarantine and import procedures. The Plant Health Officers Helen Long (then at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew), Fiona Inches (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh) and Katie Treseder (Eden Project) agreed to pool their collective experience and produce a set of guidelines that could be adopted, in whole or in part, by these institutions.

These guidelines are available as a hard-copy A5 booklet at £2.50 per copy, from Judy Cheney, PlantNetwork Administrator, c/o University Computing Service, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, UK. OR as a downloadable pdf document
PlantNetwork is grateful to the John Spedan Lewis Foundation for funding the publication and distribution of this booklet.


Invasive non-native plants

Horizon scanning for potentially invasive non-native plants
Ruth Waters, Natural England
Climate Change and Planting for the Future, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, September 2008

The GB non-native species secretariat has been established to co-ordinate and provide information about non-native species issues in Great Britain. You can find information on a range of individual species, contact details for relevant organisations and information on research and management. It also details legislation and guidance and provides detailed identification sheets for a large number of non-native species.

The European Botanic Gardens Consortium: Sharing information, and policy, on potentially invasive alien plants in Botanic Gardens
Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed have become scourges of the countryside, and regretably their origin in these islands is via horticulture. Gardens continue to hold large and diverse collections of plants, the majority of which are exotic, and many of which may be new to cultivation. Such plants may be given every encouragement to flower and adapt to their new home.
It is now recognised that there is often a lengthy lag phase between when a species becomes naturalised and represents no more than an innocuous introduction, to when it may become highly invasive. To date such transitions have usually proved to be unpredictable and unexpected.
It is vital that Botanic Gardens take steps to prevent future problem taxa from establishing through their collections, and the European Consortium has plans in place to identify emerging problem taxa and to foster vigilance across Europe.


Pests and Diseases
The FORESTRY COMMISSION has a Plant Health News page, providing the latest news releases concerning forestry pests in Great Britain.
David Slawson, Principal Plant Health & Seed Inspector with fera
Powerpoint presentation on Phytophthora and other plant diseases - a growing threat to UK gardens and plant collections.
First slide shows Citrus longhorn beetle, Fuchsia gall mite, Oak Processionary moth, Phytophthora kernoviae on a beech tree Colorado beetle, Fireblight, Bacterial canker on Horse Chestnut, Horse Chestnut leaf-mining moth, Emerald Ash borer, Phytophthora kernoviae on Rhododendron ponticum.
Exotic pests and diseases likely to flourish or be encountered with climate change
Ray Cannon & Helen Moran, Central Science Laboratory (fera)
Climate Change and Planting for the Future, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, September 2008
Monitoring of four invasive non-native garden pests
Andrew Salisbury, Ian Waghorn and Andrew Halstead
Climate Change and Planting for the Future, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, September 2008

The Entomology section of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is collating records of four invasive non-native garden pest insects following their establishment in the UK. Data collection has previously relied on data gathered from RHS members’ enquiries, however in May 2008 internet- based monitoring has been launched.
Help the RHS to monitor these pests, by submitting sightings at:- http://www.rhs.org.uk/Learning/Research/project_pest.htm
Invertebrate Pests Associated with Large and Exotic Trees Imported in the UK
The Establishment of Exotic Pests and Climate Change
Helen Moran
Climate Change and Planting for the Future, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, September 2008

Climate change is resulting in species surviving in the UK today that would not have been expected to survive here even as little as ten years ago. Examples of these include the cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi) and the green shield bug (Nezara viridula), both of which have established populations in London. As the UK climate becomes warmer, the risk posed by exotic pests is expected to increase.

Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)
The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), formerly known as Central Science Laboratories (CSL) of DEFRA, has statutory responsibilities for delivering policy and inspectorate functions in relation to Plant Health, Bee Health and Plant Varieties and Seeds. see their Plants, Bees & Seeds page.
Fera Plant Clinic News
Plant Clinic News is an online newsletter produced by Fera on a monthly basis, and designed to provide those in the agricultural and horticultural sectors with useful information on the latest pests and diseases that Fera scientists are dealing with through their Plant Clinic.
You can also sign up to receive monthly email notifications when the latest issue of Plant Clinic News is available to download online.
Phytophthora - special update from Plant Clinic News
Fera have been producing detailed information about Phytophthora, its symptoms, control and steps to minimise its impacts and spread. This special update from Plant Clinic News provides useful links and advice.
EPPO Alert List
The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Alert List provides up to date information on new pest species (including diseases and invasive plants) in the region, providing an early warning system.
Fact sheets give detailed breakdowns of effects, distribution and internet links.