Latest on Ash Dieback Disease

The Forestry Commission has issued some useful information about Ash Dieback Disease (Chalaria Fraxinea) which may be of help to those of you who manage churchyards. The disease has so far mainly been reported in urban areas, parks and gardens not hasd yet been widely identified in the natural environment in Britain and so it is really important that we keep a watch out for any signs of it in our churchyards and take the appropriate action. You should report any suspected cases to

The Forestry Commission Research Disease Diagnostic Advisory Service 01420 23000 ddas.ah@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Ash Dieback Disease is caused by a fungus. The symptoms are leaf loss and obvious crown dieback and the disease will probably lead to the death of a tree. The features to watch out for are wilting and blackish-brown discolouration of the leaves, small lens-shaped legions or necrotic spots on the bark which enlarge to form canckers and then the wilting and death of shoots and branches, especially in the upper crown of the tree. The disease is probably spread by insects, rain splash and by the movement of leaves, twigs and branches from diseased trees. Frost can cause some of the same early stage symptoms.

Ash is a prevelant species in the broadleaf woodlands of the the limestone upalnds in the Yorkshire Dales, so we should be extra vigilant in order to try to stop it spreading. If you have ash trees in your churchyard, please inspect them regularly and please clean boots, equipment and tyres that have been in the churchyard well. It is recommended that you do not take equipment used in one place where there are ash trees into another woodland within 24 hours. You should also clean dogs who have walked near ash trees carefully.

There is information at

www.forestry.gov.uk/planthealth (put ash dieback into the search box)

www.defra.gov.uk/fera/plants/planthealth (put 'ash dieback' into the search box)

Our Diocescan Property Office has issued the following advice:
 

What should we do about Ash Dieback Disease?

If you find signs of the disease please take photographs and contact the Property Team at the Diocesan Office immediately (0113 2000 549).

 If you find no signs of infection this does not mean that your trees will remain

unaffected in the long term. Monthly inspections are recommended until further
guidance is received from the government.

Schmallenberg Virus

Not perhaps the best start to Spring. Andy Ryland, our Rural officer writes

You may have heard in the news about the Schmallenberg Virus that has been detected in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and now the UK. It is similar to some other animal diseases, which are transmitted by vectors, such as midges, mosquitoes and ticks. The virus has been associated with brief mild/moderate disease (milk drop, pyrexia, diarrhoea) in adult cattle and late abortion or birth defects in newborn cattle, sheep and goats.

No known Risk to humans

At the moment, a Europe-wide risk assessment has concluded that Schmallenberg virus is unlikely to cause illness in people. As yet, no human cases have been detected in any new country, and the most closely related viruses only cause animal disease. There is no treatment or vaccine currently available for this disease. As this is a new disease further work is needed to determine what control measures may be appropriate. 

Diagnosis

This is not a notifiable disease, but farmers are asked to contact their veterinary surgeon if they encounter cases of ruminant neonates or fetuses which are stillborn, show malformations or are showing nervous disease. Veterinary surgeons should then contact their AHVLA/SAC laboratory if they suspect infection with the virus.  There is currently no blood test available but work is in progress to develop one.

For more information have a look at this Defra web site http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/a-z/schmallenberg-virus/

Treatment and control

Help for the Farming Community

Various help is at hand to the farming community and you may wish to make a note of the Farming Help website at www.farminghelp.org.uk  which has links to the various support agencies.

Farm Crisis Network

FCN is a UK network of Christian volunteers from the farming community and rural churches, providing a national helpline and visiting service to farming people and families facing difficulties. They provide pastoral and practical support for as long as it is needed, helping people to find a positive way forward through their problems. FCN works closely with a number of local support groups providing a similar service.

Bob Baker and his team at the Churches' Regional Commission, Thirsk Rural Business Centre, Blakey Lane Thirsk, YO7 3AB Tel: 01845 525757 Mob: bob.baker@crc-online.org.uk are also able to provide support to the farmers who perhaps are getting in difficulties with their farming businesses.