Holly Cairns
Question:738. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the support available to landowners who have suspected or confirmed Dutch elm disease. [57387/21]
View answerTuesday, 23 November 2021
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Dutch elm disease is a fungal disease the impact of which is to cause the infected elm tree to wilt and die. It is spread by bark beetles which carry the fungus from tree to tree and can also be spread through root contact.
Wych elm (Ulmus glabra) is the only native elm species in Ireland and is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. English elm (Ulmus procera ) is also very susceptible. Once abundant species in the Irish landscape, it is uncommon to find mature living elm trees nowadays, following the impact of the introduction of a highly virulent species of Dutch elm disease thought to have occurred in the late 1960s.
As a result of the huge impact of Dutch elm Disease, few mature elm now remain in the woodland and wider landscape context and currently my Department does not provide support for landowners who have trees suspected or confirmed to be infected with Dutch elm disease. Teagasc is currently involved in some research work the objective of which is to establish a collection of Irish elm genotypes resistant to Dutch elm disease.
Landowners and members of the public are asked to contact Teagasc if they are aware of the location of mature and healthy elm trees in support of this project.