Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Plant Diseases.

John Deasy

Question:

235 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if plants can be imported without a phytosanitary certificate; if his attention has been drawn to any cases here of phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death); the efforts being made to ensure that this disease does not come here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15260/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Plants, planted or intended for planting, that arrive in the European Union from third countries are required to be covered by a plant health certificate issued by the plant protection service of the country of export. Each consignment must be inspected by the plant protection service of the member state of introduction and found to conform to EU plant health requirements before it can be released into free circulation in the EU.

Commission Decision 2002/757/EC of 19 September 2002 on provisional emergency phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of phytophthora ramorum Werres, De Cock & Man in 't Veld sp. Nov. was agreed in response to the threat posed by this new organism and its measures became operative on 1 November 2002. Phytophthora ramorum has been found in Ireland on a number of occasions. It has also been found in at least nine other member states, including all of our main trading partners. All infected plants that have been found have been destroyed.

Host plants of the disease – plants of rhododendron and viburnum species – within two meters of infected plants have also been destroyed as required under EU legislation. In addition, host plants within ten meters of infected plants are required to be quarantined for three months. A survey for the organism is being carried out in all member states. The survey results are to be forwarded to the Commission by 1 November 2003 and the decision must be reviewed by 31 December this year at the latest.