With most EU countries now adopting austerity measures or cuts to public spending, how much will the budgets of the organisations dealing with this problem be affected. This is already answerable and we know that funding has been dramatically reduced and will continue to be reduced.
However how much are the public involved in the assistance to halt the spread of the disease and also how much are the practitioners involved? How much are the nursery and horticultural industry responsible for the outbreak of P. ramorum and other diseases in the first place? And as such what measures should we in the industry be taking.
The FC have produced guidelines and introduced what appears to be an excellent and comprehensive package - advocating increased vigilance and following discovery serious efforts to curb spread through cleaning of tools, clothing, vehicles and staff. Following removal of the infected plants, replanting instructions are provided. Financial aid is also given to landowners who have large outbreaks.
This does not alleviate the frustration many practitioners and owners must feel about being unable to stop the spread of the disease in the first place.
It was evident to some that an outbreak of P. kernovia in Cornwall was spreading in localised areas away from land that saw public access on a large scale but that P. ramorum seemed to occur in areas which did see significant public access. On one plant I saw that had been affected it was evident that the Rhododendron in question had been clipped for cuttings by someone who did not work on the estate in question. Dirty secateurs by a cutting thief? The suggestion for controls to persons, animals and vehicles moving in and out of areas with the disease has been suggested plenty of times but restrictions have not been forthcoming in any tangible amount.
Media reaction has been largely good, the fear and horror angle of these diseases appeals to the public and consequently much has been written - surely aiding those tasked with trying to halt the diseases. Or maybe the cynics amongst us will think that this publicity was counter productive, media hype about a threat that is hardly the end of the world, leading to a slow down in funding.
With the recent news about the spread and the fact that budgets will certainly be lowered now it is surely the time to trust the practitioners to do more than just report on the disease and clean their boots regularly.
The current position of the UK land industry is well placed to assist: It is largely made up of smaller, localised but highly knowledgeable professionals. Many of whom are trusted by their clients to a degree unseen in many other industries. With a threat as great as this it is surely essential to arm those already trained in horticulture and land based industry with more than a 'mopping up' information sheet. The practitioners could already be out there helping to ensure; new planting is carried out to minimise the risks; checking up on the supply chain of plants; removing highly susceptible plants from contact with important native and ornamental trees and other significant specimens; warning clients directly; testing products and having the right to impose restrictions on high risk areas when concerned without waiting in consultation, etc.,
Quangos have frequently kept operations to themselves, but with these new threats and with the budget cuts looming it is surely time to allow the practitioners to relieve some of the burden of the work ahead in fighting these diseases. Indeed the existing base of practitioners, their knowledge and access to materials and different techniques specific for different regions is surely a good place to look for potential solutions or experimentation in reducing the continued spread.
Comments
I have heard that a certain nationally well known trust/society had a sale in one of it's properties here in Cornwall selling off all it's stock of Rhododendron ponticum, a main vector P.ramorum, before receiving a visit by the group set up to examine the spread of these diseases in the UK. Did they know of the intended visit?
Other properties are able to refuse access to their grounds so as to make it impossible for these diseases to be found/eradicated. WHY are they allowed to do this?
The Lost Gardens of Heligan removed all R.ponticum and cleared all leaves/debris from underneath all other Rhododendron species to negate the possibility that these diseases might get a foothold in their grounds. A RESPONSIBLE act.
They have also had the micro-propogation unit at Rosewarne, Camborne successfully propogate large numbers of rhodos which they declare to be disease free. This work is being carried out on Camellia's as well. This not only stops spreading the disease, but also the plants grown are from the original plantings from over 150 years ago, saving the heritage of the gardens.
WE in our small business ALWAYS spray secateurs, loppers, saws etc with anti-bacterial spray before leaving a garden and going to the next. A small thing maybe but we work with many of the species that are affected by these Phytophora's every week and take this threat very seriously and are always checking out any discolouration etc on plant leaves just in case. Maybe we should implement a boot wash as well, after all if we find either of the above in a garden whom will the owner blame for it's appearance?
After all if Phytophora spreads then we all face losing clients, so Patsy and I back any call for greater regulation/control with this issue.
Personally I think that every single 'relevant' person should have been taken to the outbreak site to see the damage and as such the flippancy which occurred may have been avoided.