Government ministers debated the effect of larch disease on forests at Westminster Hall last week, following lobbying by ConFor.
Jim Paice, the minister of state for agriculture and food, reported on the action Defra, the Forestry Commission and the Food and Environmental Research Agency have taken to combat Phytophthora ramorum – namely the harvesting of infected trees and the surrounding area to create a spore free zone.
However, ConFor says, the minister has not been able to advise on the issue of restocking these areas as the grant rates have not been announced yet. ConFor has been lobbying for parity in the grants offered for broadleaf and softwood restocking.
Mr Paice added that Defra is strengthening its biosecurity measures in conjunction with the review of the EU plant health regime.
