Two Plaid Cymru AMs have expressed their concerns after a highly damaging tree disease was detected in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Leanne Wood and Chris Franks, who represent the South Wales Central region, were speaking after the Welsh Assembly Government issued a statement declaring Sudden Oak Death has been found in the Vale along with Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend county, across a total of 461 hectares of woodland.
The disease, also known by the pathogen phytophthora ramorum, has already been responsible for the destruction of thousands of trees in America. It is said to cause trees to “bleed” a thick red sap and make leaves turn brown and curl before destroying its host with great speed.
Last year the Forestry Commission found it had spread to larch trees and earlier this month it was confirmed as being in the Vale of Glamorgan, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend County. The disease has already been detected in Wales at the Cefn Onn park in Cardiff. The local authority is now undertaking a five-year clearance programme in a bid to get rid of it.
Felling and subsequent removal of trees is being deployed to contain its threat. The cost of the felling programme may impact on the “delivery of current woodland programmes,” the Assembly Government has warned.
Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central, said: “This is particularly worrying news because of the devastating affect this disease has had on American woodlands. It is imperative now that swift action is taken to eradicate this infection before it takes a hold in the Welsh countryside.
“The people of the Vale of Glamorgan will no doubt be hoping the consequences can be kept to a minimum.”
Fellow Plaid Cymru South Wales Central AM, Leanne Wood, said: “This disease could have huge impacts on our woodlands because the larch tree is quite common. Woodlands are an integral part of the Welsh countryside and my fear is that the cost of the felling programme could put back some of the proposed projects, such as the planting of more native trees.
“It is unfortunate we have this news in the very week that Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust) launched their new campaign, ‘More Trees, More Good.’”
