February updates from Teagasc for the Nursery Stock and Ornamental plant industry.
Pest and disease updates, work permit application advice
Teagasc Advisory - Nursery Stock & Ornamentals Newsletter February 2019.
A year on from the harsh weather of the beast from the east, it is inspiring to see how well growers have rebuilt nurseries and got back to the business of growing plants. The hard work and determination I've seen in the last year is truly humbling. We wish them all good fortune.
Trade for the month of February has been very good for the time of year. Higher than normal temperatures across northern Europe are in contrast to snow and storms hitting southern Italy in the last week. Soil temperatures are significantly higher than average with commercial daffodils flowers coming in earlier than normal. Bare root season is in full swing, opportunities for planting out have been good with low rainfall.
The Central Statistics Office is full of interesting bits of information. Two relevant ones for us: CSO Fertiliser prices database and the CSO Commencement notices for construction. The latter should give a good indication of demands for landscaping requirements in the near future.
Imports to EU of high risk plants Changes to the EU plant health legislation will come into effect December 14th 2019. Stricter plant health controls will benefit the environment and improve traceability. In an effort to reduce the likely hood of new pests and diseases coming into the EU from third countries restrictions will be put in place on high risk plants. DAFM have issued a trader notice giving further details. The exporting country will have to submit a pest risk analysis to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for approval. The EFSA have supports in place (see video below) and are accepting applications now.
The plants of concern are: Acacia, Acer, Albizia, Alnus, Annona, Bauhinia, Berberis, Betula, Caesalpinia, Cassia, Castanea, Cornus, Corylus, Crataegus, Diospyros, Fagus, Ficus, carica, Fraxinus, Hamamelis, Jasminum, Juglans, Ligustrum, Lonicera, Malus, Nerium, Persea, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Salix, Sorbus, Taxus, Tilia, Ulmus. Ullucus tubers have been included also.
EFSA Webinar: How to prepare dossiers to support demands for import of high-risk plants and plant products
Key steps to securing a work permit online
There is growing interest in the permit scheme for recruitment. there is just enough time to use it TO have employees I place for the busy seasons ahead. Stiofán Nutty on behalf of the Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) has prepared a document to guide employers. It sets out three distinct actions that need to be undertaken. It describes the process, step by step and lists supports for applicants.
Pesticide Updates
Keep up-to-date with the latest pesticides new by visiting the Teagasc pesticide blog.
Pest Update
Be vigilant for a new pest on Ilex creanata imports. The new leaf miner Phytomyza jucunda has been identified to cause damage to them and also to a lesser extent to Ilex auifolium. So far it has been reported only from Japan its home country and recently from Belgium and Netherlands. I. crenata is a replacement option for Buxus and nurseries have seen increased demand for this plant line in recent years. As leaf miners are very difficult to control it is prudent to inspect plants on arrival or better still to visit growers and inspect their crops.
Details and photos of damage available here: Phytomyza jucunda, a new leafminer in Europe
The latest edition of The Phytopathology Journal focus on the global threat of Xylella fastidiosa. It gives a broad overview of the concerns and looks in depth at the latest information on epidemiology, breeding, biological control and testing.
Teagasc, Nursery Stock Study tour to Germany and visit to Baumschule Technik Tradeshow 27th -30th August.
Four day study tour to the centre of German Nursery Stock production. Includes seven nursery visits and attending the world famous trade show. There is enormous variety in Pinneberg district with a high degree of specialization. World famous nurseries in the area include Kordes young plants and roses, Lorenz von Ehren,
Direct flights available from Dublin to Hamburg. See here for proposed itinerary and costs.
Please get in touch if you would like further information, if you have any issues you would like to discuss or topics you would like to hear more about. Feel free to forward the bulletin to friends or suppliers; they can subscribe or view past bulletins from the Teagasc web site. Please seek permission before reproduction of any part of the bulletin.
*All recommendations are made in good faith. As plant protection products recommendations can change please read the product label fully and check the PCS web site. The Teagasc nursery stock bulletin is now on the approved list for IASIS continuous professional development points. Subscribers will receive 5 CPE points per annum.
