Forestry is a devolved issue. However, I can provide information on phytophthora ramorum with relation to larch trees in England. There is no known cure for this disease in trees so there is no treatment available. There will inevitably be some trees that have been infected and have not yet been identified so it is not possible to calculate the proportion of larch affected.

The latest information from the Forestry Commission in England, which records information by woodland area and estimated timber volume, not tree numbers, is set out in the following table. This shows the area of woodland and volume of timber under Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHN) requiring the trees to be felled, as well as the volume estimated of trees under Notice still to be felled.

The hon. Member may wish to contact Welsh Ministers to discuss the position in Wales.

Since the first finding in larch in 2009, Phytophthora ramorum has been found in large areas of larch forest in parts of the UK. This year substantial new areas have been found to be infected, notably in the previously infected regions of south Wales and south-west Scotland.

The potential for further spread is being assessed through an ongoing modelling project and given favourable conditions for the development of the disease, spread is likely. A five-year programme to reduce levels of the disease to epidemiologically insignificant levels began in 2009, prior to the finding in larch. Actions under the programme include removal of plant species which are most effective in spreading the organism; surveillance of horticultural and forestry production; research; and raising public awareness about the organism and plant health risks more widely. The five year programme covers England and Wales, and officials are in regular contact about its implementation. The programme has recently been reviewed to inform decisions on future action against Phytophthora ramorum in the broader context of DEFRA's plant health programme.

No ministerial discussions with Welsh colleagues have taken place about Phytophthora ramorum.

The Government is taking the threat posed by “Chalara fraxinea” extremely seriously.

The Food and Environment Research Agency consulted on a Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) for “Chalara fraxinea” drafted by scientists at the Forestry Commission's Forest Research agency. A PRA summarises evidence on the risk of an organism being introduced, spreading, establishing, causing economic or environmental damage and the prospects of controlling it. The consultation concluded on 26 October 2012.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the right hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), recently approved restrictions on ash imports and movements, in response to the outcome of

the consultation on the PRA and the results of surveillance. Forestry Commission legislation to give effect to these restrictions came into force on 29 October, before the main planting season in November. Further surveillance and action against findings are in progress.

“Phytophthora ramorum” has been found in European larch (“Larix decidua”) and hybrid larch (“Larix x eurolepis”). Japanese larch is much more widespread in commercial plantings and hence has been the species in which most infection is found.

Under the five-year, DEFRA-funded, Phytophthora Disease Management Programme led by the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), which started in April 2009, large areas of Japanese larch and other larch species have been felled. An external review of the programme has recently commenced, to provide recommendations on future policy for control of “Phytophthora ramorum” and “P. kernoviae”.

The objective of felling these trees is to reduce levels of inoculum and thus to try to minimise any further spread of “P. ramorum” and the damage it causes.

The Forestry Commission and the Food and Environment Research Agency carry out research into this pathogen under the programme, to increase understanding of the epidemiology and how to restrict further spread. This will enable us to pass on advice and guidance to growers on its management and means of preventing or limiting its impact and spread.

“Phytophthora ramorum” infection in larch trees has only been found in the United Kingdom and in Ireland. There are restrictions on imports of host plants from other EU countries and countries outside the EU; should infected larch be found in third countries it would be proposed for addition to the list of host plants under The Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) (England) Order 2004.

“Phytophthora ramorum” has been found in European larch (“Larix decidua”) and hybrid larch (“Larix x eurolepis”). Japanese larch is much more widespread in commercial plantings and hence has been the species in which most infection is found.

Under the five-year, DEFRA-funded, Phytophthora Disease Management Programme led by the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), which started in April 2009, large areas of Japanese larch and other larch species have been felled. An external review of the programme has recently commenced, to provide recommendations on future policy for control of “Phytophthora ramorum” and “P. kernoviae”.

The objective of felling these trees is to reduce levels of inoculum and thus to try to minimise any further spread of “P. ramorum” and the damage it causes.

The Forestry Commission and the Food and Environment Research Agency carry out research into this pathogen under the programme, to increase understanding of the epidemiology and how to restrict further spread. This will enable us to pass on advice and guidance to growers on its management and means of preventing or limiting its impact and spread.

“Phytophthora ramorum” infection in larch trees has only been found in the United Kingdom and in Ireland. There are restrictions on imports of host plants from other EU countries and countries outside the EU; should infected larch be found in third countries it would be proposed for addition to the list of host plants under The Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) (England) Order 2004.

“Phytophthora ramorum” has been found in European larch (“Larix decidua”) and hybrid larch (“Larix x eurolepis”). Japanese larch is much more widespread in commercial plantings and hence has been the species in which most infection is found.

Under the five-year, DEFRA-funded, Phytophthora Disease Management Programme led by the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), which started in April 2009, large areas of Japanese larch and other larch species have been felled. An external review of the programme has recently commenced, to provide recommendations on future policy for control of “Phytophthora ramorum” and “P. kernoviae”.

The objective of felling these trees is to reduce levels of inoculum and thus to try to minimise any further spread of “P. ramorum” and the damage it causes.

The Forestry Commission and the Food and Environment Research Agency carry out research into this pathogen under the programme, to increase understanding of the epidemiology and how to restrict further spread. This will enable us to pass on advice and guidance to growers on its management and means of preventing or limiting its impact and spread.

“Phytophthora ramorum” infection in larch trees has only been found in the United Kingdom and in Ireland. There are restrictions on imports of host plants from other EU countries and countries outside the EU; should infected larch be found in third countries it would be proposed for addition to the list of host plants under The Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) (England) Order 2004.

The Government is taking the threat posed by Chalara fraxinea extremely seriously.

Officials from the Forestry Commission and the Food and Environment Research Agency are working together to protect the UK's ash trees in response to the UK findings of ash dieback caused by Chalara fraxinea.

The Plant Health Authorities are following up findings. Trees found to be infected are destroyed and those in the vicinity of infected sites are also being monitored by the Plant Health Authority to check for the presence of the disease. Inspections of nurseries growing and trading ash plants as well as monitoring of the wider environment are taking place. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the right hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), recently confirmed our intention to introduce a ban on ash imports and movements, if this was supported by the outcome of the current consultation on the Pest Risk Assessment for this disease and the results of the surveillance being carried out. The consultation will close on 26 October. A ban could then come into force before the main planting season gets under way in November. In the meantime, we will continue to act on a precautionary basis against any further findings.

The Government is taking the threat posed by Chalara fraxinea extremely seriously.

Officials from the Forestry Commission and the Food and Environment Research Agency are working together to protect the UK's ash trees in response to the UK findings of ash dieback caused by Chalara fraxinea.

The Plant Health Authorities are following up findings. Trees found to be infected are destroyed and those in the vicinity of infected sites are also being monitored by the Plant Health Authority to check for the presence of the disease. Inspections of nurseries growing and trading ash plants as well as monitoring of the wider environment are taking place. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the right hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), recently confirmed our intention to introduce a ban on ash imports and movements, if this was supported by the outcome of the current consultation on the Pest Risk Assessment for this disease and the results of the surveillance being carried out. The consultation will close on 26 October. A ban could then come into force before the main planting season gets under way in November. In the meantime, we will continue to act on a precautionary basis against any further findings.