Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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332. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Department are aware of the extent of native alder disease; if it is being monitored; the nature of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26240/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is not clear from the question to which disease in alder the Deputy is referring. As a general rule European alders are largely free from quarantine pest and disease problems. Although not a regulated disease under the EU Plant Health Directive, one disease has gained particular prominence. A disease of the Phytophthora species, known as alder Phytophthora (Phytophtoraalni), which is highly specific to alder is known to be widespread in Europe. The disease was first identified in Britain in 1993 and surveys conducted by authorities there in recent years have shown the disease to be relatively widespread in riparian ecosystems, although the incidence is highest in southeast England and in parts of Wales. The disease has also been recorded in Ireland in County Dublin.

In the last five years there have been a number of incidences where signs or symptoms of disease or stress have been identified on alder plantings by Forestry Inspectors. In all cases further investigations were undertaken.  On the two occasions where biotic causes of disease or stress were confirmed, these were identified as pathogens or insects naturally occurring in the Irish environment. In the first incidence the Nut Bud Moth (Epinotia tenerana), a species of moth common to Ireland, was identified on the foliage of alder in County Wexford.  In the second, Fomes (Heterobasidion annosum), a common fungal disease causing root and butt rot of trees, was identified as affecting alder trees in County Kerry.

With regard to ongoing monitoring of pest and diseases, I can inform the Deputy that Forestry Inspectors in my Department carry out routine visual surveys for harmful pest and diseases throughout the national forest estate. This work brings the Forestry Inspectorate into constant contact in the field with all stages of forestry operations throughout the country and across all tree species. Details of these inspections are recorded on a standardised EU Forest Disease and Insect Survey, Sign/Symptom Report Form; where visual inspections are inconclusive, samples are taken for laboratory analysis.

The Department maintains a national pest and disease diagnostic and advisory service to forest owners. This is an important survey component to enable the early detection of harmful pests and diseases. The Department encourages tree owners to report unusual signs and symptoms and promotes the importance of maintaining the general health of forests. Finally, all applications by landowners for afforestation support payments require written confirmation by a qualified forester, 4 years after planting, that there is no evidence of pest or disease problems.