In This Issue
Retail ops restructured as going gets tough for Wyevale GCs
Retailers must act now to redeem expired gift vouchers says HTA
July was only average for garden centres sales volumes
More garden retailers signing up to industry Xylella crisis campaign
Burgon & Ball to roll out 70 new lines at Glee
Scotts Miracle-Gro buoyant but Europe revenue falls 6%
Town & Country is sold to EP Barrus
Clothing was smart June highlight for GCA centres
Still pretty in pink? Or is orange the new ‘in’
Lighting the way for profit growth within garden retailing
Millbrook walk 60 miles for Air Ambulance
The mighty apple goes ‘on tour’
Driving ban for Blackpool garden centre owner on drink charge
Ornamental grasses are August Plants of the Moment
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Sales of Impatiens on the rise
Xylella fastidiosa - a threat to the U.K. Horticulture industry
Orchid feeds currently selling well
La Hacienda sold to US company
Duke of York leads the way for autumn seed potato sales
New comparison website aims to offer platform for trades
Train or repel – keeping pets in check
Growing media sales drop by 17% during July
Three men went to mow...
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Xylella fastidiosa - a threat to the U.K. Horticulture industry
Guidance on sourcing plant material for Retailers, Landscapers, Growers, Designers and all dealing with plants in a professional capacity.
 

What is the threat?

Xylella fastidiosa is one of the most harmful bacterial plant diseases in the world. It can cause severe losses in a wide range of hosts and there would be a massive impact on the plant trade across all business sectors in the event of an outbreak in the UK.

An outbreak of this disease, where several different plants are infected, will trigger immediate stock destruction within 100 metres and a movement ban of host plants within a 10-kilometre radius for up to five years. This will dramatically and immediately affect most plant selling operations, as well as impacting on all businesses dealing in plants within the 10km zone. Gardens could also be affected.

What should businesses do to stop it coming into the UK?

Only buy potential host plants from trusted plant passported suppliers who know where their plants come from. We strongly recommend that potential host plants are not sourced from or near regions where there have been findings of Xylella fastidiosa. Current demarcated areas can be seen at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/plant/docs/ph_biosec_legis_list-demarcated-union-territory_en.pdf

The list of host plants is growing and includes many popular garden and landscape plants, such as lavender, rosemary, oak and many others. The current list of confirmed hosts is at:https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/plant_health_biosecurity/legislation/emergency_measures/Xylella-fastidiosa/susceptible_en

What happens if the disease is found in the UK?

The full emergency measures imposed at EU level are only triggered when the disease has spread and there is an outbreak. The full emergency measures are not triggered if the disease is found on a single plant or within a batch of plants and is diagnosed and contained before it spreads. This is known as an interception. Stock will still be destroyed in this circumstance but the movement ban is very unlikely to come in force.

Several wholesale nurseries have signed up to plant sourcing statements such as the one below:

“The following nurseries have taken the decision NOT to knowingly purchase any host plants originating from regions where the disease Xylella is known to exist. The decision has been taken after detailed consideration as to the potential catastrophic impact the introduction of the disease could have to the UK environment, coupled with the ever increasing number of host plant genera of this disease. This is in line with DEFRA’s good practice recommendations.”

These nurseries include:

  • Bransford Webbs Plant Company
  • Christies of Fochabers Ltd.
  • Country Garden Plant Sales Ltd.
  • Farplants Group
  • Golden Grove Nursery
  • James Coles and Sons (Nurseries) Ltd.
  • Johnsons of Whixley
  • Lovania Nurseries Ltd.
  • Lowaters Ltd.
  • Oakover Nurseries Ltd.
  • Plants for Europe Ltd.
  • R V Roger Ltd.
  • Wykeham Mature Plants

If you wish to add your nursery name to the list, please email Policy@hta.org.uk with confirmation that you agree to the statement.

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