Disease to change Island's plantations dramatically

Mon, 13 Jan 2014

The face of the Island’s countryside will change forever due to a tree disease spreading through the plantations.

That's according the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) - which says an outbreak of

Phytophtora Ramorum means thousands of larch trees are being killed off.

In an effort to combat the issue, DEFA has employed a UK contractor to help fell affected areas at cost of £2 million.

Minister Phil Gawne says it could be devastating if action isn’t taken: