" On Radio 4 it was reported that Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, has said there was no delay in implementing precautions to prevent the spread of Chalara fraxinea, the fungus that causes ash dieback. He said all precautions have been appropriate.
The Guardian (1 November) printed a timeline which says the Horticultural Trades Association reported the disease had become widespread in Denmark in 2009 and that it called for a ban on imports. The government took no action.
European countries have been asking for a ban on importation of sapling over the last two years. Nothing happened.
In February 2012 the disease was reportedly present in a nursery in Buckinghamshire. No action was taken.
In the summer of 2012 ash dieback was detected in plantations and nurseries across Scotland and in the UK. No action was taken. In October 2012 cases were identified in Norfolk and Suffolk. The government announced a period of public consultation which "might lead to a ban on importation of saplings".
We are told "100,000 ash trees have been felled" to prevent disease spreading. I understand that 100,000 saplings have been destroyed.
On 26 October Paterson announced there would be a ban on importing ash saplings. Does Paterson have a different concept of "no delay"?
David Hurry
Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/04/learning-lessons-from-the-ashes