Statutory controls against the spread of D. micans were first put in place in Great Britain in 1982. Following the discovery of three new outbreaks outside the main infested area, the Forestry Commission reviewed the controls and carried out a consultation exercise with the forestry industry. We consulted on two options: extension of the designation of the infested area and a continuing policy of movement restrictions into Scotland and the north-east of England, or revocation of our EU protected zone status. The second of these options was agreed and from 15 May 2005 the movement within Great Britain of conifer wood and conifer bark was no longer subject to any treatment requirements.
We rely instead on the specific predator Rhizophagus grandis for management of the pest, with the designation of part of the west of Scotland as a ‘pest-free area’ out of which wood and bark can be moved under the EU plant passport regime without treatment.
