Defra

Nursery practice, movement controls, plant passporting and clean-up

Facilitator: Dr David Slawson (Defra Plant Health & Seeds Inspectorate)
Short talk by: Richard Hoddinott (Defra Plant Health & Seeds Inspectorate)
Rapporteur: John Richardson (Johnson's of Whixley)

Attendance: around 25 people from a wide cross-section of the industry, including representatives from seven large production nurseries.

The discussion commenced with a presentation from Richard Hoddinott (PHSI) who summarised the current state of play of the campaign against P.ramorum. Full details of Richard's talk are available (see left hand menu). However, the main points covered included: objectives of the campaign, current number of outbreaks, an encouraging decline in the incidence of disease in commercial trade, measures to reduce risk of infection on nurseries, control measures in the event of a finding and measures to avoid re-infection. The recently published Defra booklet "Phytophthora ramorum - A Practical Guide for the Nursery Stock and Garden Centre Industry" was recommended to delegates. One introductory statement from industry noted the difficulty of eradicating outbreaks from premises where plants either grow in or stand on soil and gravel compared to retail premises where disinfection of concrete and metal benches has proved to be far more effective.

The three main points from the group discussion that followed were:

1. Avoidance of disease

It is crucial that growers work with their suppliers to ensure that all susceptible material arriving on the nursery is disease-free and complies fully with the plant passporting requirements. Tight contractual arrangements have proved very successful for some larger producers.

2. Intelligence and advice

Growers made a plea for up to date intelligence on the disease situation, including data on recent interceptions. Defra were requested to maintain the provision of advice and leaflets but were requested to keep the advice brief and topical.

3. Analysis of outbreaks

Greater analysis of eradicated and on-going outbreaks was considered a value means of improving our understanding of disease and its control in the nursery situation.