Restrictions on the import of most species of oak into England have been introduced as part of new regulations to protect native trees from the threat of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

The new regulations ban the movement of certain oak trees into the UK’s OPM Protected Zone (an area of the EU declared free of the pest) unless specific conditions are met. They cover both imports from overseas and movement of trees from areas of the country where OPM is already present – in London and surrounding counties.

The measures cover all oaks (Quercus) – with the exception of cork oak (Quercus suber) – which have a girth of 8cm or more at 1.2 metres above the root collar and are imported from either the EU or a third country or moving into the Protected Zone from other parts of England. This is because such trees represent the greatest likelihood of introducing OPM.

The regulations apply to all businesses which import and move oak trees.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence said:

Protecting our country from tree pests and diseases is vital to safeguard our environment, economy and our health.

That is why we are introducing tighter restrictions on the importation of oak trees to England, and the movement of oak trees out of certain parts of South East England which are infested with OPM.

Through investment, research and legislation we will continue to help protect our precious oak trees for years to come.

OPM caterpillars feed on oak leaves and can increase trees’ vulnerability to attack by other pests and diseases, making them less able to withstand adverse weather conditions, such as drought and floods.

The Forestry Commission, councils and land managers tackle the pest which affects Greater London and several surrounding counties with an annual control programme of tree treatment.

The new restrictions follow the launch of the Government’s first Tree Health Resilience Strategy in May which pledged tough action to protect the nation’s trees from pests, diseases and climate change. A key element of the strategy is the Action Oak campaign which seeks to protect the UK’s 121 million oak trees for future generations.

The new OPM legislation is published on gov.uk here

Notes to editors:

• The new legislation prohibits the movement of oak trees, with a girth of 8cm or more at 1.2 metres above the root collar, into the UK’s OPM protected zone unless one of these specific conditions are met:

1. That trees have been grown throughout their life in places of production in countries in which OPM is not known to occur;

2. That trees have been grown throughout their life in a protected zone which is recognised as such for OPM or in an area free from OPM established by the national plant protection organisation in accordance with ISPM No. 4;

3. That trees have been produced in nurseries which, along with their vicinity, have been found free from OPM on the basis of official inspections carried out as close as practically possible to their movement and official surveys of the nurseries and their vicinity have been carried out at appropriate times since the beginning of the last complete cycle of vegetation to detect larvae and other symptoms of OPM;

4. That trees have been grown throughout their life in a site with complete physical protection against the introduction of OPM and have been inspected at appropriate times and found to be free.

• All oak trees moving into and within the OPM protected zone must already be accompanied by a plant passport regardless of the size of the consignment. And all landings of oak plants in England must be pre-notified to the plant health authorities.

• For more information about OPM, including a map of the affected areas, visit the Forestry Commission website

• People are also urged to report sightings of OPM to the Forestry Commission’s Tree Alert with a precise description of the tree’s location.

Tourists and residents are being urged to make the most of Salisbury as the city launches its bid to be crowned a ‘Rising Star’ in the Great British High Streets Awards.

Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, today (21 August 2018) visited business owners in Salisbury and Amesbury to thank them for their community spirit, and see first hand how government funding is helping the city recover following incidents earlier in the year.

Salisbury has received more than £5 million in funding to further support businesses, boost tourism and meet unexpected costs.

Early indications show that the cash injection is encouraging tourist to return to Salisbury.

Now the city is in line for a further £10,000 if it scoops the top spot in the ‘Rising Star’ category of the Great British High Streets competition – which celebrates the most ambitious high streets taking a lead and working together to revive, adapt and diversify.

Communities Secretary, Rt. Hon James Brokenshire MP, said:

There are encouraging signs tourists are returning to Salisbury to enjoy the huge variety of attractions and activities the area has to offer. Government funding is helping to support this.

Residents and business owners on the high street have shown huge community spirit and resilience in the face of unparalleled circumstances. I wish them the best of luck as they go for gold in our Great British High Streets competition.

The Great British High Streets Awards also recognise individuals playing a leading role in making our high streets special.

Susi Mason, owner of gift shop Casa Fina, has been nominated as Salisbury’s High Street Hero, recognising her time, dedication and commitment to the city.

Baroness Jane Scott OBE, leader of Wiltshire Council, said:

It’s really good news that the city is in the running for these awards given the recent difficult months for local businesses and the community.

We have been working closely with businesses throughout this time, providing financial support and rate relief, plus bespoke advice, training and coaching to ensure they have the help needed to keep going and safeguard jobs.

The council introduced free parking in both Amesbury and Salisbury to help encourage visitors and shoppers and to support local businesses.

We are extremely fortunate to benefit from world-class attractions in south Wiltshire; including Stonehenge, the cathedral and medieval streets, and we welcome tourist and visitors from across the globe to visit this quintessential city and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Chief Executive of Visit Wiltshire, David Andrews, said:

Salisbury and the surrounding area has long been a huge draw for both domestic and international visitors.

Through working in partnership with VisitEngland, Wiltshire Council and the Salisbury recovery team, we are pleased that our joint activity is bringing people back to Salisbury.

With several weeks of the summer holidays left, there’s no better time to enjoy the world class attractions, unique high streets, heritage sites and packed schedule of events.

On the visit, the Communities Secretary also met senior police officers and council officials to hear about the recovery operation, and thank them for their work and commitment.

The Great British High Streets Awards 2018, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and sponsored by Visa, close on 22 August 2018.

The government has announced more than £5 million in funding to further support businesses, boost tourism and meet unexpected costs as a result of the incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury.

This new package is in addition to the £2.5 million that has been made available since March to support the local community.

Two Ukrainian nationals held in Russian detention, Oleg Sentsov and Volodymyr Balukh, are on hunger strike to demand the Russian authorities release all Ukrainian political prisoners. Today marks Oleg Sentsov’s 100th day on hunger strike.

Minister for Europe and the Americas Sir Alan Duncan said:

“On the 100th day of Oleg Sentsov’s hunger strike, we remain extremely concerned for Mr Sentsov’s health and treatment at the hands of the Russian authorities.

“Mr Sentsov was detained by Russia after expressing peaceful opposition to the illegal annexation of Crimea. He was convicted on fabricated terrorism charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Mr Balukh is also on long term hunger strike and it is reported that the conditions of both men are rapidly deteriorating and their lives are under threat.

“It is critical that Russia allows Ukrainian officials and international humanitarian organisations unrestricted access to Mr Sentsov, Mr Balukh and up to 70 other Ukrainian political prisoners. No one should be imprisoned for opposing the illegal annexation of Crimea. Russia must now uphold its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law and release them immediately.”

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