ICF Welcomes Ban on Ash Imports

The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) welcomes the environment minister Owen Paterson’s decision to ban all imports of Ash trees and impose tight restrictions on its movements in the UK from Monday 29 October.

The ICF, the National Trust and the Woodland Trust had submitted a joint response to the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) in support of a programme to eradicate Chalara fraxinea within the UK.  A key component of this was the adoption of an immediate ban on the importation and movement of ash plants and seeds into and within the UK.

The ICF urges all professional foresters to remain vigilant and inform the Forestry Commission of the presence or suspected presence of a quarantine tree pest or disease. Reporting should, in the first instance, be to Forest Research tree diagnostic service.

Download the full consultation response document.