Press release: £500 fine for Loughborough man fishing in Rothley in close season

A Loughborough man has been prosecuted for fishing in the close season and has to pay almost £500.



Detailed guide: Prevent the introduction and spread of tree pests and diseases

Updated: Added a URL and did some tweaking.

Biosecurity refers to a set of precautions that aim to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms. These include non-native tree pests, such as insects, and disease-causing organisms, called pathogens, such as some bacteria and fungi.

Tree pests and diseases can be transported between or within countries via a number of pathways, including:

There has been a significant increase in the number of non-native tree pests and diseases being introduced to the United Kingdom since the early 2000s. This demonstrates the need for us all to take action to provide our trees, woods and forests with greater protection. By implementing appropriate biosecurity measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of introducing and spreading tree pests and diseases.

This page will show you how to maximise good tree health through biosecurity.

See Forestry Commission guidance on importing and exporting wood and timber products.

What you can do

Public

Tree pests and diseases can have a significant impact on our landscape, but there are some simple steps members of the public can take to help limit their spread:

  • drive and park your vehicle only on hard-standing surfaces such as tarmac where possible when visiting outdoor areas such as woodlands, parks or gardens
  • clean mud, organic material and water off your boots, bikes and buggies – and the dog – before you leave, because fungi, bacteria and insects can live in these materials
  • ‘Don’t risk it!’ – please don’t bring any plant or tree products back from trips abroad, because these might be carrying harmful non-native tree pests or pathogens
  • report any trees that you suspect are in ill-health to the Forestry Commission using Tree Alert

Industry professionals

People working in the arboriculture, forestry and landscaping industries are considered a particularly high-risk group for their potential to spread tree pests and diseases.

The Forestry Commission has therefore worked closely with the following organisations to develop industry-specific biosecurity guidance in an effort to reduce their members’ risk of introducing or spreading pests and diseases:

By following the three calls to action from our industry guidance (‘Think kit, think transport, think trees’) alongside the public biosecurity guidance above, industry professionals can significantly reduce the risk:

‘Think kit’:

  • make sure all equipment, including boots, clothing, ropes and saws, is free from soil and organic material before entering and leaving a site
  • regularly clean ropes as per the manufacturer’s guidance, or use dedicated ropes for particular sites
  • clean and disinfect chainsaws (pruning saws and other cutting tools as part of regular routine maintenance, and before moving to new sites)

‘Think transport’:

  • remove any build-up of soil and organic material on vehicles and machinery, including cabs, wheels and foot wells, before leaving each site
  • use proper off-site wash-down facilities regularly

‘Think trees, plants, and materials’:

  • develop relationships with nurseries you can trust so they can help you responsibly source plant and tree stock from pest- and disease-free areas
  • keep accurate, up-to-date records of all purchases and supplies to assist with tracing exercises in the event of an outbreak
  • regularly monitor plant and tree stock for signs of ill-health, and report any suspect symptoms to us using Tree Alert
  • if you’re responsible for importing or moving plants, check your plant passport and registration requirements with APHA before doing so
  • source landscaping materials only from pest- and disease-free areas
  • be aware of any restrictions in place, or phytosanitary (plant health) measures and treatments required when importing certain materials or their packaging
  • consider specifying British-grown plants to avoid being party to an accidental introduction of a pest or disease

When working on a site that is subject to a Statutory Plant Health Notice (see below), or where a pest or disease has been confirmed, you must follow any additional biosecurity guidance for that pest or disease in addition to the measures above.

If you must remove infected or infested material from such sites for safety reasons, you must ensure that:

Land owners and managers

As a land owner or manager, it’s particularly important that you implement appropriate biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of tree pests and diseases. Not only can these organisms affect the economic value of your trees, they can also have a wider negative impact on other species and habitats.

By following the biosecurity guidance provided above for the public and industry professionals, you can significantly reduce the risk of tree pests and diseases spreading on to your land. If, however, a tree pest or disease is confirmed on the land you own or manage, there are some additional measures you need to follow:

Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs)

If the tree pest or disease found on the land you own or manage is classified as notifiable, you may be issued with an SPHN. The Forestry Commission and other plant health authorities issue these notices requiring the owner or manager to take certain steps to eradicate or contain notifiable pests and diseases.

SPHNs requiring eradication may require measures to kill the infected or infested trees, such as by felling or ring barking. SPHNs ordering containment measures may allow the infected or infested trees to remain standing, but require any susceptible material to remain on site.

If you’re issued with an SPHN, you must follow any instructions provided within the document. If you have any questions about an SPHN you have been issued, contact the Forestry Commission.

Note that receipt of an SPHN doesn’t mean that you’re in any trouble. Nor does it imply that you have committed an offence, or are at fault for the pest or disease being present on your land. However, failure to comply with the requirements of an SPHN can result in enforcement action and prosecution.

Non-notifiable pests and diseases

You’re not required to take any action if the tree pest or disease found on your land is not notifiable. We do, however, recommend that you take the following measures to ensure people’s and animals’ safety, and to minimise any further spread of the pest or disease. You should:

  • continue to implement the biosecurity measures in the publicand industry professionals sections above
  • make any visitors aware of the presence of pests and diseases on your land through information boards, posters at entry points, and/or by adding information and biosecurity guidance to your site’s website, if available
  • monitor the trees’ safety as the infection or infestation progresses, and prune or fell affected trees if they threaten to cause damage or injury
  • in low-density situations, such as in parks or gardens, slow the spread of pests and diseases by removing and disposing of (by burying, composting or, where permitted, burning) infected trees and their fallen leaves and branches

Biosecurity kit

Putting together a simple, portable biosecurity kit can help you implement simple measures every day to help limit the introduction and spread of tree pests and diseases. The following are cheap and easily obtained items to include in your kit.

  • bucket (big enough to fit your boot and a few inches of water)
  • boot pick
  • brush
  • disinfectant
  • hand sanitiser
  • water container (or a large re-used water bottle)
  • portable pressure washer (optional, but handy for cleaning bikes or other equipment that won’t fit in a bucket)

Disinfectants

Propellar and Cleankill Sanitising Spray are effective against Phytophthora species and other plant pathogens. Note that ‘Cleankill Sanitising Spray’ should be distinguished from ‘Cleankill’, which is a commonly used animal health disinfectant. ‘Cleankill’ has not been tested for its effectiveness against plant pathogens such as Phytophthora species.

We make the following recommendations for using these disinfectants:

  • disinfectants are only effective when sprayed on to clean surfaces, so clear all soil and organic material from the surfaces being disinfected before spraying
  • use Cleankill Sanitising Spray rather than Propellar to disinfect work boots and outerwear, to avoid any damage to their fabric and glue
  • propellar should be used on metal tools to prevent rusting, but it must be stored in a flame-proof container when not in use because of its flammability


COSHH (control of substances harmful to health) and data safety sheets
(PDF, 657KB, 18 pages)

for both of these products are available and should be consulted before use.

If using disinfectant, you should also include these additional items within your kit:

  • eye protection
  • protective gloves
  • flame-proof container

E-learning

The number of introductions of tree pests and diseases has increased. It is therefore more important than ever that we all learn how we can help to minimise the risk of further introductions and spread through the effective application of biosecurity measures.

Our biosecurity e-learning package was developed with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Arboricultural Association and the British Association for Landscape Industries. It provides background information about biosecurity issues, and clear guidance on the most effective and appropriate biosecurity measures for different situations.

The package can be accessed via the Forestry Commission’s e-learning portal. Before you first use it, you’ll be asked to register and create an account. Once your account is verified you can enrol for the online courses.

The package is divided into five modules:

  • Module 1: Biosecurity awareness
  • Module 2: Biosecurity – dispersal pathways
  • Module 3: Biosecurity measures
  • Module 4: Biosecurity – personal controls
  • Module 5: Biosecurity – import and export requirements for wood packaging material

At the end of each module is a short test to establish your understanding of the subject. The pass mark for each test is 80 per cent, and there is an option to re-take the test if required.

If you have any queries about the e-learning package, contact the Forestry Commission.

Resources

‘Keep it Clean’

The Forestry Commission’s ‘Keep it Clean’ campaign is a simple, memorable call to action to everyone to incorporate biosecurity measures into their daily routine. You can support the campaign by downloading the media and tools and using them within your organisation any way you can.

You can also show your support on Twitter by using the Forestry Commission’s ‘Keep it Clean’ Twibbon

Other useful resources

Contacts

For tree health and biosecurity related queries:

For e-learning enquiries:

Use Tree Alert to report a suspected tree pest or disease to the Forestry Commission.

Sign up to Tree Health News for the latest information on tree and woodland health.

Follow @ForestryComm on Twitter for updates on forestry grants, regulations and tree health in England.



Detailed guide: Find a specific tree pest or disease

The pests and diseases listed below are either present in Great Britain or posing the greatest threat of entering.

Some of the information below is still being developed, and will be fully updated by March 2019.

Tree pests in alphabetical order

Tree diseases in alphabetical order



Speech: PM speech at the Africa ‘Call to Invest’ UNGA event

I am delighted to be here, alongside President Kagame, President Akufo-Addo and Prime Minister Trudeau, to open this meeting.

Today we make a call to invest in Africa.

Africa stands on the cusp of playing a transformative role in the global economy. A more prosperous, growing and trading Africa is in all of our interests. But its incredible potential will only be realised through a concerted partnership between governments, global institutions and business.

That’s why we are bringing together today, political leaders, business leaders and the African leaders of tomorrow. For together we can work in partnership to unleash the transformative power of trade and investment to work across the continent of Africa.

Last month, I made my first official visit to Africa – I met leaders, entrepreneurs and young people who are building an exciting future for their countries and their continent.

I saw a continent full of potential. One with a young population that is eager to embrace the opportunities of the 21st century – and ready to play its part in tackling the challenges we all face.

I was delighted when I was there to meet a young fashion designer in Nigeria, and a young jewellery designer in Kenya – examples of the next generation.

I am delighted that we are also joined by representatives of that next generation today.

But Africa’s potential will only be realised if we invest in the next generation.

Just to keep pace with its growing population, Africa will need to create 18 million new jobs every year between now and 2035.

And creating those jobs is not just important for Africa’s future. In our interconnected world, where new jobs in Africa drive new markets, new trade and investment opportunities, and greater global stability, these new jobs are important for everyone’s future.

That is why high-quality investment and job creation forms the centrepiece of the UK’s new partnership with Africa.

It is why I want the UK to be the G7’s number 1 investor in Africa by 2022, with our companies investing billions into African economies.

It is why the UK is ensuring that the 0.7% of gross national income we spend on development will do more to support investment and job creation in Africa and in developing economies across the world.

While in South Africa, I announced plans for £4 billion of new UK government investment in African economies that will pave the way for at least another £4 billion of private sector financing.

And next year the UK will host an Africa investment summit in the UK – bringing African leaders together with private and institutional businesses and investors.

This partnership working is vital to delivering the high-quality investment we want to see.

Today, I am delighted to welcome the Sustainable Development Capital Initiative which, in partnership with UK Government, will develop the City of London’s role in raising the capital needed to meet the sustainable development goals.

I am also pleased that the UK played a role in the International Finance Corporation doubling the investment it supports in Sub-Saharan Africa, to $10-12 billion a year by 2030.

These and wider shifts in the multilateral system are encouraging foreign investment in African countries by improving business environments, and addressing market barriers, such as regulation and risk mitigation.

But like everyone here today, I want us to go further still.

So together today, we are issuing a ‘Call to Invest’ in Africa. A challenge to governments, businesses, investors and organisations the world over, to redouble our efforts to address the youth jobs challenge, and to bring fresh ideas and practical commitments to the table.

When Africa succeeds, the world succeeds.

So let us together invest in Africa and – in doing so – invest in all our futures.



Press release: Pension bosses banned for 34 years after abusing members’ funds

Karl Dunlop, Stuart Grehan and Ian Dunsford previously accepted disqualification undertakings for their management roles within the group of companies involved in the transfer of pension funds.

Stuart Greehan, Director of Sycamore Crown Ltd, agreed to a 9-year voluntary ban as a result of false and misleading statements made to encourage investors to transfer their pension pots.

Karl Dunlop (9 years), Director of Imperial Trustee Services Ltd, and Ian Dunsford (7 years), Director of Omni Trustees Ltd, agreed to voluntarily bans for failing to act in the best interests of pension members and subsequently failing to ensure investments were adequately diverse.

And despite not formally being appointed a director of Transeuro Worldwide Holdings Ltd, Stephen Talbot recently accepted a 9-year disqualification undertaking for failing to explain what happened to millions pounds worth of assets.

The investigation, led by the Insolvency Service, centred on the conduct of the directors connected with Transeuro Worldwide Holdings Ltd (TWH), who helped fund two introducer firms Sycamore Crown Ltd (Sycamore) and Jackson Francis Ltd (JF).

The introducer firms cold-called members of the public, inviting them to transfer their pension pots into Self Invested Personal Pension plans (SIPPs) and pension schemes operated by Omni Trustees Ltd (Omni) and Imperial Trustee Services Ltd (Imperial), who provided trustee and administrator services for two occupational pension schemes – Henley Retirement Benefit Scheme (HRBS) and Capita Oak Pension Scheme (COPS).

However, investigators found that the introducers from both Sycamore and Jackson Francis misled clients about their expertise and experience, offering ‘guaranteed’ returns designed to encourage them to transfer their existing pension funds.

As a result, more than £39m was paid into SIPPs, over £10m into COPS and more than £8m to HRBS. Members’ funds were then largely invested in unregulated investments in storage units which ultimately did not yield the level of returns promised to members.

Ken Beasley, Official Receiver for the Insolvency Service’s Public Interest Unit, said that unfortunately he has seen an increase in cases where members of the public have been persuaded to transfer their hard-earned pension pots into new schemes on the basis of unsubstantiated promises of higher returns which inevitably never materialise.

He said:

You may have seen the current campaign by the Financial Conduct Authority, where they recommend that you reject unexpected offers, especially those originating from a cold call. You should check who you are dealing with, avoid being rushed or pressured into making decisions and seek out impartial advice before going ahead with any pension transfer.

Suspicions should also be raised if you are promised high or guaranteed returns, unusual investments or complicated structures, high-pressure sales tactics, involvement of several parties, all taking a fee which significantly cuts into your pension pot, and long-term pension investments which could take years before you realise something is wrong.

Omni and Imperial are currently the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) who are inviting members of HRBS and COPS to complete a questionnaire.

On 21 January 2017 The Pension Regulator appointed Dalriada Trustees Ltd as trustee of HRBS and COPS. Work is still ongoing in relation to the status and value of individual members’ pensions.

About the directors

Stephen Michael Talbot

Director of Transeuro Worldwide Holdings Ltd (Company number: 103954) from Salford and DOB: Jan 1972

On 6 July 2018, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Stephen Michael Talbot, who whilst acting as a director of TWH despite not being formally appointed as such:

  • failed to ensure that TWH maintained or delivered up adequate accounting records.
  • as a result of this it has not been possible to ascertain whether payments out of the bank account of over £37 million were for a purpose connected with the business, the reason over £740k was paid out to Mr Talbot, the reason why £7.5 million (net) was paid out to a Panamanian foundation for which Mr Talbot was protector, show commissions due to or received from the company, show the nature of receipts into the company or establish the presence of any claims for the liquidator to pursue.

His ban was effective from 27 July 2018 and lasts for 9 years.

Ian Dunsford

Director of Omni Trustees Ltd (Company number: 08175702) from Barnet, Hertfordshire and DOB: Jan 1974

On 19 July 2017, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Ian Dunsford, after he admitted that he:

  • failed to ensure that Omni, as trustee of a retirement benefit scheme, had acted in the best interest of members.
  • took the appointment as director despite lacking the relevant knowledge and understanding to manage a pension scheme, allowed a third party to make investment decisions, failing to ensure that the investments were sufficiently diverse.
  • failed to take sufficient steps to safeguard returns on investments promised to members resulting in potential losses to the scheme of at least £560k.
  • failed to take sufficient steps to prevent the transfer of £3.7 million of scheme assets to a third party outside the jurisdiction.

His ban was effective from 10 August 2017 and lasts for 7 years.

Karl Dunlop

Director of Imperial Trustee Services Ltd (Company number: 08133190) from Worcester and DOB: May 1965

On 3 July 2017, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Karl Dunlop, after he admitted that he:

  • failed to ensure that Imperial, as trustee of a retirement benefit scheme, had acted in the best interest of members.
  • took the appointment as director despite lacking the relevant knowledge and understanding to manage a pension scheme
  • failed to ensure that adequate accounting records had been maintained (in particular relating to member transfers in of over £4 million when he was director)
  • failed to ensure that over £9m investments were sufficiently diverse
  • failed to take sufficient steps to safeguard returns on investments promised to members resulting in potential losses to the scheme of at least £1.6 million.

His ban was effective from 25 July 2017 and lasts for 9 years.

Stuart Grehan

Director of Sycamore Crown Ltd (Company number: 08023102) and Jackson Francis Ltd Company number: 07763545) from Salford Worcester and DOB: August 1981

On 6 October 2016, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Stuart Grehan, after he admitted:

  • false and misleading claims had been made about Sycamore and JF’s level of expertise and experience to induce prospective investors to transfer their pension funds.
  • claims were also made about the companies offering a range of investment products and ‘unbiased advice’ despite the only product actively promoted being unregulated investments in storage units which the companies had a vested interest in promoting due to the way in which they were funded.
  • claims were made that a strict due diligence process was followed but there was no evidence that independent checks were carried out meaning so called ‘guaranteed’ returns were not received by pension members.

His ban was effective from 27 October 2016 and lasts for 9 years.

Disqualifications

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

  • act as a director of a company
  • take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
  • be a receiver of a company’s property

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings.

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of other restrictions.

The Insolvency Service administers the insolvency regime, investigating all compulsory liquidations and individual insolvencies (bankruptcies) through the Official Receiver to establish why they became insolvent. It may also use powers under the Companies Act 1985 to conduct confidential fact-finding investigations into the activities of live limited companies in the UK. In addition, the agency deals with disqualification of directors in corporate failures, assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees, provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available.

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 7674 6910 or 020 7596 6187

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on: