Phytophthora ramorum - meeting of interested organisations
On 13 October 2003 Defra hosted
a meeting on Phytophthora ramorum at the Central Science Laboratory
in York which was attended by over 65 people representing a range of interested
organisations.
The aims of the meeting were to:
- bring attendees up to date on the state of outbreaks in the UK, Europe and the US
- outline the current scientific understanding of the organism and it’s impact
- gain an industry perspective of the disease, and
- review the regulatory activities and discuss the way forward in dealing with P. ramorum.
The first half of the day consisted of presentations which updated attendees
on the current situation regarding outbreaks, research findings and the
potential impact of the disease. In the second half of the day industry
perspectives were provided with regard to historic gardens and commercial
nurseries. This was followed by an outline of current regulatory activities
which led into an open discussion. Comments were sought by Defra Plant
Health with regards to future action.
Programme
(pdf)
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10:00 Introduction
Dr Stephen Hunter, Head of Plant Health Division, Defra
10:15 Situation in the UK and EU (One) (Two)
Dr David Slawson, Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate
10:45 Situation in the USA
Dr Patrick J. Shea, USDA Forest Service
11:15 State of the science and understanding of the disease
CSL Presentation 1 CSL
Presentation 2 Forest
Research presentation
Dr Alan Inman & Dr Judith Turner, Central Science Laboratory
Prof Clive Brasier & Dr Joan Webber, Forest Research
11:45 Pest Risk Analysis
Dr Claire Sansford, Central Science Laboratory
12:15 Buffet Lunch
(Opportunity to view typical symptoms of the disease and how a diagnosis
is achieved)
1:00 Industry Perspective - Historic gardens
Mr Bill Malecki, National Trust
1:15 Industry Perspective - Nursery
Mr Will Murch, Osberton Nursery
1:30 UK and EU regulatory aspects
Dr Stephen Hunter, Plant Health Division
Mr Roddie Burgess, Forestry Commission
2:00 Question and Answer Forum
The discussion covered the following issues:
- the extent of the financial impact of the disease on commercial nursery trade through to the tourism industry,
- the latent period of the disease where no symptoms are expressed, the use of fungicides to suppress the disease and the ability of the nursery industry to provide guarantees that traded plants are healthy,
- the availability of resources within Defra and the Forestry Commission to deal with P. ramorum,
- future plant passporting arrangements,
- the need for detailed information on the efforts taken by other EC member states to control the disease,
- the awaited results from disease surveys within the EC. Defra Plant Health hope to make a decision on action to be taken at infested gardens in England and Wales at the end of November following the analysis of the UK survey results.
3:00 Summary of meeting
Dr Stephen Hunter, Plant Health Division
3:15-3:30 Close
Page last modified:
6 Nov 2006
Page published: 17 Oct 2003