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Ash dieback: government holds Cobra crisis meeting Ash dieback: government holds Cobra crisis meeting
(7 days later)
The government's crisis committee Cobra will meet on Friday to discuss the disease threatening the UK's native ash trees.The government's crisis committee Cobra will meet on Friday to discuss the disease threatening the UK's native ash trees.
The fungal disease, which causes leaf loss and crown dieback and can lead to ash tree death, has wiped out up to 90% of ash trees in some areas of Denmark and has now been found in Britain. The fungal disease, which causes leaf loss and crown dieback and can lead to ash tree death, has affected up to 90% of ash trees in some areas of Denmark and has now been found in Britain.
The disease was first identified in nurseries and recently planted sites including a car park and a college campus, and last month officials confirmed it had been found in the wider countryside in East Anglia.The disease was first identified in nurseries and recently planted sites including a car park and a college campus, and last month officials confirmed it had been found in the wider countryside in East Anglia.
The government banned imports of ash trees on Monday but the discovery has increased fears that ash trees face the same fate as the elm, which was devastated by Dutch elm disease in the 1970s.The government banned imports of ash trees on Monday but the discovery has increased fears that ash trees face the same fate as the elm, which was devastated by Dutch elm disease in the 1970s.
Approximately 100,000 trees have already been destroyed in an effort to prevent the disease spreading, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed.Approximately 100,000 trees have already been destroyed in an effort to prevent the disease spreading, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed.
This morning's Cobra meeting to discuss a response to the crisis will be chaired by the environment secretary, Owen Paterson, a Defra spokesman said.This morning's Cobra meeting to discuss a response to the crisis will be chaired by the environment secretary, Owen Paterson, a Defra spokesman said.
There are concerns that with the fungus now in the wider countryside, possibly arriving as spores are blown over the North Sea, it will be very hard to stop its spread in the UK.There are concerns that with the fungus now in the wider countryside, possibly arriving as spores are blown over the North Sea, it will be very hard to stop its spread in the UK.
Fears remain that the spread of the disease could have a dramatic impact on wildlife and lead to rare species being lost if it takes hold.Fears remain that the spread of the disease could have a dramatic impact on wildlife and lead to rare species being lost if it takes hold.
After ash dieback was identified at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Lower Wood reserve, Ashwellthorpe, an ancient woodland and a protected site of s pecial scientific interest, the trust's chairman warned of the potential threat to wildlife.After ash dieback was identified at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Lower Wood reserve, Ashwellthorpe, an ancient woodland and a protected site of s pecial scientific interest, the trust's chairman warned of the potential threat to wildlife.
Rene Olivieri, of the wildlife trust, said last week: "Ash trees, as hedgerow and field trees, are an important feature in our landscape and also a key component of ecologically unique woodlands that support rare species.Rene Olivieri, of the wildlife trust, said last week: "Ash trees, as hedgerow and field trees, are an important feature in our landscape and also a key component of ecologically unique woodlands that support rare species.
"For example, upland ashwoods, such as those in the Peak District, support rare woodland flowers, a rich invertebrate fauna and important lichens."For example, upland ashwoods, such as those in the Peak District, support rare woodland flowers, a rich invertebrate fauna and important lichens.
"Their loss would have a dramatic negative impact on our natural environment.""Their loss would have a dramatic negative impact on our natural environment."
• This article was amended on Thursday 8 November. The main text said that 90% of trees in Denmark had been "wiped out". This is incorrect and has been changed to "affected".