Gardeners have been warned to ‘buy British’ to avoid a deadly bacterial disease which threatens 350 species of plants.
Xylella fastidiosa is ‘one of the most dangerous’ diseases in the world according to the European Commission.
And the Royal Horticultural Society says householders and garden centres should not buy plants grown abroad to prevent the disease reaching Britain.
Dr Gerard Clover, head of plant health at the RHS, said: ‘It could change the face of the countryside like ash dieback and Dutch elm disease, but this disease affects everything from trees to herbaceous perennials and grasses. We want to avoid it spreading to the UK.’
Xylella fastidiosa has been called ‘one of the most dangerous’ diseases in the world by to the European Commission
The Royal Horticultural Society said it is ‘in the top ten, if not number one’ on its list of concerning pests and diseases. Xylella first appeared in Europe in 2013. It kills plants by restricting water movement
The RHS said it is ‘in the top ten, if not number one’ on its list of concerning pests and diseases. Xylella first appeared in Europe in 2013. It kills plants by restricting water movement.
However infected plants show few or no symptoms, so that the bacteria can be mistaken for common problems like drought or frost damage.
Originally from America, it is thought to have arrived in Europe on imported plants.
The disease can be transmitted by insects but there is no known cure.
It is feared it could have a ‘fundamental’ effect on British gardens and potentially devastate broadleaf trees.
Dr Clover added: ‘The question for the UK is not “if” but “when” the UK will have its first outbreak of the disease.
‘Xylella is a game-changer for gardeners and the horticultural industry and it is vital we understand its potential impact. If gardeners and nurseries want to be sure stock is healthy, buy plants that have been grown from seed in the UK or have been grown in the UK for 12 months.
‘The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has a list of almost 1,000 pests and diseases of concern, but we would put xylella fastidiosa in the top ten, if not at number one.’ The European Commission approved greater protections against Xylella, after Environment Secretary Michael Gove urged Brussels to bring in tougher measures such as more checks on high-risk plants as they move between countries.
If found in the UK, all host plants within 110 yards would be destroyed and there would be restrictions on movement of plants within a three-mile radius for five years.