The Department of Agriculture has reported seventeen incidents of fireblight, a threatening bacterial ailment, across eleven distinct counties in the previous twelve months. The disease is particularly damaging to hawthorn hedges native to the area. If it continues to proliferate, it could necessitate the removal of these symbolic hedges in Ireland, warn environmental organisations. Other trees susceptible to fireblight include rowan, apple, pear, and cotoneaster.
To curtail fireblight, environmental groups including Environmental Pillar, Hedgerows Ireland and An Taisce have urged Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to implement thorough measures, such as stopping the import of hawthorn trees. “The public’s support in signing our open letter for immediate Governmental intervention is essential,” stated Hedgerows Ireland representative Mark McDowell.
Fireblight symptoms encompass shrivelling of shoots and leaves as well as a “bacterial ooze”. As no treatments exist, the only preventive measure for the disease is destruction or incineration of infected trees. Its primary route into the country is via imported plants carrying latent infections and it is quite adaptable to Ireland’s temperate climate. This ailment has caused the elimination of over 800km of hedgerows in Germany previously.
“Hedgerows are vital for a multitude of local plants, insects, mammals, and birds. We are putting all this at stake through unnecessary import of infected plants,” added Mr. McDowell.
Dr Elaine McGoff, the head of advocacy with An Taisce, further underscored the possible disastrous results of a fireblight outbreak. “The potential devastation of fireblight in the rural landscape of Ireland is unimaginable. Amidst our ongoing biodiversity crisis, the few remaining hedgerows are crucial for our ecosystem. Unwise hawthorn importation could eventually result in widespread loss of our priceless hedges countrywide…this could considerably affect water quality. Have we not yet gleaned any insights from the Ash Dieback debacle?”
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