asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the progress, if any, which has been made in controlling the epidemic of Dutch Elm disease in Ireland; if the new method of biological control is being used here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dutch Elm Disease.
17.
While no significant progress has yet been achieved in the control of Dutch Elm disease, my Department continue to be actively involved in research on the disease. The Forest and Wildlife Service of the Department is co-operating with the chemistry department of University College, Dublin, in an EC project involving chemical analysis of the pathogen. Regular contact is also maintained with researchers in Holland who are investigating the use of a systemic fungicide as a means of controlling the disease. The Forest and Wildlife Service is also represented on a panel of EC experts which meets regularly to monitor developments.
In the long term the selection and breeding of resistant strains is considered to be the most satisfactory solution to the disease. This remedy is, however, by its nature a slow one but scientists are confident that a resistant strain of elm can be developed. In this connection the EC has sponsored an international tree-breeding programme in which the Forest and Wildlife Service is participating as part of a general research programme into Dutch Elm disease. Selected strains of elm have been outplanted at the John F. Kennedy Park and their growth is being monitored.
The Forest and Wildlife Service has also carried out a series of experiments using the new biological method of control involving the use of a fungus. The results of these experiments are currently being evaluated.
Can the Minister give me any indication of the expenditure in his Department and the number of personnel involved in this area? The Minister must surely be concerned that, in spite of all the research work that has been done to date, Dutch Elm disease is almost out of control and some greater effort will be needed by his Department if the situation is to be brought back under control again.
Regarding the amount of expenditure and personnel in my Department involved here, I have not got that information as it was not required of me in the question. We must accept that, in the long term, the selection and breeding of resistant strains of elm is considered the most satisfactory solution to the disease. That is as a result of various investigations that have taken place both here and abroad. Although various fungicides have been tried the disease by its nature, has proved to be resistant to most of the present controls that have been tried. Indeed, until some systemic fungicide has been found, either here or abroad, the method I have suggested is probably the only one at the moment. A new developing systemic fungicide is under investigation in Holland and there are some hopeful signs that it may be an answer to the disease, but at this stage there are no specific results. Scientists believe that in the long term the only solution to the problem is breeding a resistant strain of elm. The news may not be very encouraging but this is as a result of study over long periods.
Are officials in the Department using the new strains which have been identified? Is there a system of inoculation being organised by the Department? What action is being taken in that respect?
The treatments that are being tried and tested abroad are being watched by researchers at my Department and if something is brought forward by way of a fungicide that can be used to inoculate these trees then undoubtedly that will be used. It can only be used, obviously, on an individual basis rather than by way of spraying a stand of timber. If this is found to be effective, then we will certainly use it. At this time I have to say that the treatment that has been tried on this species of trees — we have planted some out in John F. Kennedy Park in Wexford — is being monitored as to its results on these trees.