Hedgerow Pests & Diseases with Maria Cullen

In this webinar with Maria Cullen (Plant Pathologist) and Hedgerows Ireland (www.hedgerows.ie), we will discuss the primary diseases and pests concerning Irish hedgerows. We will also share how to reduce the risk of spreading them through appropriate management.
In December 2023, Hedgerows Ireland sent a letter to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the increased risk of disease arising from importing Whitethorn to complete ACRES planting actions. This is the result of the delayed Trader Notice (No. 12 of 2021), which alerted nurseries to expected demand in 2023/2024, and the amendment in ACRES Circular 27, which removes the requirement for Irish Provenance/Irish Origin Whitethorn in hedgerow planting actions.
The potential consequences include the loss of genetic integrity in Ireland’s Whitethorn populations, phenological mismatches between Whitethorn and insect populations, and the risk of diseases such as Fireblight and Phytophthora species spreading through Ireland.
To resolve these issues, we reiterate calls by other organisations to extend the deadline for ACRES hedgerow planting actions. This will allow nurseries more time to reallocate stock to ACRES. Hedgerows Ireland also welcomes the reinstatement of the Irish Provenance/Irish Origin requirement. If there is insufficient stock of Irish Provenance hedgerow species, we feel ACRES should limit the volume of planting. We also request that in 2024, the Department initiate a programme to set up and support local nurseries around Ireland to help to meet the demand for Irish Provenance plants in future years.