THE fact that the Government held a special COBRA meeting when it had confirmation that Chalare Fraxinea had arrived in the UK demonstrates just what a disaster this disease could be for forestry throughout the country.

The virus causes ash dieback and is a mortal threat to the 80 million ash trees currently in Britain. In a recent outbreak in Denmark, 90% of ash trees were killed. The disease first appeared in Poland in 1992 and quickly spread throughout the continent. 

It is not clear yet how the disease arrived in the UK although it is likely to have come in a consignment of infected trees from the Netherlands that were recently found in a nursery. 

There is also a possibility that spores were blown across the North Sea from Continental Europe. It is not clear just how bad it will get but the discovery that it is not confined to nurseries but has been found in the wider environment in East Anglia is potentially disasterous for our forests.  

The Government is right to take whatever precautions are necessary to ensure that it doesn't spread and that our ancient woodlands are as well protected as possible. It has introduced an import ban and there are likely to be movement restrictions imposed in areas of the countries where the disease is prevalent. However, if the disease is spread in the wild by the wind, or even as has been suggested, on people's boots, then it is likely that it will quickly reach the West Country and the rest of the UK.  

Already nearly 50,000 ash trees at risk of the disease have been burnt and tragically this may be the only option to halt the spread of the disease, although it may be too late even for this.  

Forests are ever changing, some years ago Dutch Elm disease decimated many of our elm trees, but our forests recovered and rejuvinated. It is likely that they would do again, even in the worse circumstances. 

The ash tree is a huge part of our heritage, and is the second most common hedgerow tree, providing 30% of the trees in our woodlands. Its wood was used to make the wings of the De Havilland Mosquito, one of the most famous British world war two aircraft. We must do all we can to save it! 

Julie Girling

Conservative MEP South West