James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking or what research his Department is conducting to ensure that our ash trees are not exposed to ash tree disease that is crossing Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49022/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department confirmed a finding of Chalara fraxinea - ash dieback - in Co. Leitrim in October. Since then measures were taken to protect our ash trees from the spread of this disease. Firstly all material from the imported consignment concerned was destroyed. In addition, I put in place legislation banning the import of ash plants from countries or parts of countries known to have the disease. This Statutory Instrument came into effect from the 26^th October 2012 and in Northern Ireland equivalent measures were simultaneously introduced.

Further legislation was introduced this week to control the import of ash wood into the country. The details of this legislation, which came into effect yesterday, have also been agreed with Northern Ireland. The legislation will allow ash wood movement into Ireland if (1) it comes from an area free of the disease or (2) its free of outer round surface (including bark) or (3) its kiln dried below 20% moisture.

In terms of research, support is provided through my Department under the COFORD programme for studies on broadleaf tree improvement. This work is being undertaken principally in University College Dublin, in close collaboration with Coillte and Teagasc, with the aim of improving the future quality and productivity of Irish forests. In addition my Department has identified a number of ash plantations for inclusion on the official Seed Stand Register of Ireland. Seed from these plantations will have better growth characteristics than seed from unselected stands. Three ash seed orchards have also been established in collaboration with Coillte and the Future Trees Trust, a joint UK/Ireland collaboration. My Department is also a member of EUFORGEN – the European forest genetics resources programme, which includes ash.