Experts back action on deadly plant bug

Action to combat a deadly disease attacking Staffordshire plant life has been given support by national scientists.

The county council's environment and countryside team are continuing the battle to stem the virulent fungal disease.

It is infesting the native bilberry on Cannock Chase. National plant specialists are watching the Chase outbreak with interest as it is the first of its kind in the UK. The is a containment zone around the diseased area, covering around 2,280 acres of the 3,000 acre country park.

Government experts have praised the Staffordshire authority for taking what they say are "measured steps" to tackle the problem.

The county council has had to make a whole range of difficult decisions to protect the internationally important wildlife site.

The experts have backed the calls from Staffordshire County Council to dog walkers and other Chase users to stick to the main paths and keep dogs on leads to avoid spreading the phytophthora spores

Teams have been out cutting and burning the infected bilberry material in a bid to contain, control and destroy the disease.

The infection could remain in the root system of the plants. But it will not be known if this is the case for around two or three years.

Staffordshire County Council head of environment and countryside Steve Potter says the measures it has taken have been on the advice of national experts at Defra and Natural England.

He said: "This is the first time the disease has been identified in bilberry so we are in uncharted territory.

"The containment operation on Cannock Chase has been undertaken with the advice and approval of Defra and Natural England.

"We have worked closely with them to ensure we are following the best possible advice from the national experts," he said.

"We will continue to assist our colleagues from the national plant health agencies to test diseased materials and explore these complex and uncharted micro-biological interactions. It's going to be a long term commitment. Cannock Chase is of international importance for wildlife.

"We are totally dedicated to doing everything we can to protect it," he said.