Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has said that his worst fears have been confirmed following the news that an outbreak of ash dieback disease has been reported at the National Trust’s property at Runkerry on the North Antrim coast.
The North Antrim MLA said:
“The news that ash dieback disease has been discovered amongst imported ash saplings at Runkerry is simply dreadful.
This is a fungus which attacks ash leaves and kills trees by denying them the energy that they need to survive and has had a devastating impact on ash trees in many European countries, especially Denmark where 90 per cent of their ash trees are showing symptoms and will eventually die.
Currently the National Trust and DARD are destroying imported ash saplings at Runkerry but there are obvious fears that this disease has affected native species.
The Ulster Unionist party has previously raised concerns about the possibility of exactly this type of event occurring and I will be demanding answers from both DARD and DEFRA.
In the meantime it is essential that all landowners with ash trees are especially vigilant.”