Emergency measures to prevent the introduction of Sudden Oak Death, caused bv a fungus which has devastated forests in the US, have been introduced in the EU. The fungus, phtophthora ramorum, has killed 80 to 90 per cent of the oaks it has infected and is particularly virulent in California. The EU Plant Health Committee has set import controls on plants and woods from areas in the US affected by the disease. Similar controls are already in place for Oak Wilt, another serious oak disease in North America
To date, phytophthora ramorum has not been recorded on oak in Europe. However, the fungus has been found on rhododendron and viburnum in the Netherlands, Germany and Britain. The legislation will also control the movement of rhododendron and viburnum in the EU. Preliminary research suggests European oak species may be less susceptible to the fungus than US species. Gerard Cahalane, forest inspector at the Forest Service, says the increased movement between countries of plants, wood products and in particular wood packing material, such as pallets and crates, increases the risk of spread of potentially damaging pest and diseases. The new International Plant Protection Convention has recently been agreed under the auspices of the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation. Once implemented, this agreement should safeguard Irish forests against other as yet unidentified imported pests and diseases.
AS Irish tourism continues to struggle, perhaps more tourist operators should seek opportunities in eco-tourism - especially in this, the International Year of Eco-tourism. One initiative is an online eco-cultural guide to Ireland. Although limited, the Sustainable Ireland guide offers visitors tour choices and places to stay. These include the EcoBooley Self Catering Cottage in Co. Tipperary (www.ecobooley.com), Irish Cycling Safaris based in Dublin (www.cyclingsafaris.com), the Sacred Island guided tours of Ireland's ancient sites (www.carrowkeel.com) and Celtic Nature Expeditions in Co Kerry (www.dingleway.com). Anyone with an eco-cultural venture should contact Sustainable Ireland at sustainable.Ireland@anu.ie or tel:01-4912327.
FOLLOWING sightings of sunfish, trigger fish, anchovies, pufferfish and great white sharks in Irish and British waters last year, the World Wildlife Fund Northern Ireland and the Marine Life Information Network are conducting a sea-life survey. The WWF is asking people to report sightings of of all marine life - from the common mussel to the rare turtle. To find out more about the survey or record a sighting, call the Sealife Survey hotline on 0845-1210500 or see www.marlin.ac.uk/sealifesurvey
UP to 300 people from countries including Ghana, Nigeria and the Phillipines will come together in east Clare between August 10th and 24th to exchange environmental ideas. Ecotopia is an annual gathering co-ordinated by European Youth For Action network. Themed workshops (waste recycling, alternative energy, social justice, herbal medicine, etc) are planned and an alternative currency, the ecorate, will operate throughout the event. "The idea is to live as a sustainable community for two weeks and to learn from each other and each other's skills," says Adam Conway, Ecotopia 2002 spokesman. This year's theme is conflict resolution - which surely will be a daily challenge for those participating as camping, cleaning and cooking duties will have to be organised throughout the event! www.ecotopia2002.org for more details. Tel: 087-7732508.