Climate change and the expansion of international trade are likely to increase the threat posed to Britain's woodlands by tree pests.
In response the Forestry Commission, with Private Sector support, has set up a Biosecurity Programme which aims to "Preserve the health and vitality of our forests, trees and woodlands through strategies which exclude, detect, and respond to, existing and new pests and pathogens of trees, whether of native or exotic origin."
The Programme will be directed by the Biosecurity Programme Board which will include representatives from across the Forestry Commission, Forest Research and the forestry and wood using sectors.
Terms of Reference (as adopted on 27 November 2009)
Purpose
The Biosecurity Programme Board will oversee delivery of the Plant Health Strategy. It will provide a strategic overview of the Forestry Commission’s approach to plant health and biosecurity, to assist it in meeting its objective to:
“Preserve the health and vitality of our forests, trees and woodlands through strategies which exclude, detect, and respond to, existing and new pests and pathogens of trees, whether of native or exotic origin.”
It will consider all aspects of tree health in both the urban and rural environment. It will not, however, consider tree health issues affecting fruit or exotic ornamental species as these do not fall within the Forestry Commission’s remit.
The Board will have both an executive and advisory role.
In its executive role, the Board will be responsible for
Determination and understanding of the impacts on forestry, trees, woodland and associated industries;
Co-ordination and harmonisation of measures taken by other UK Plant Health administrations and the Forestry Commission;
Proposing policy recommendations to address emerging issues;
Recommending the establishment of new working groups to address specific plant health issues.
In its advisory role, the Board will be responsible for
Providing advice on research programmes and associated projects on aspects of the detection, identification, biology, management and understanding of relevant pests;
Advising the Research Strategy Management Board in determining research priorities to support bidding for resources through the research commissioning process.
Raising the profile, awareness, and understanding of plant health controls and tree health issues amongst all stakeholders, including the general public;
Governance and links
The Board will:
Report to FC GB Executive Board through Head of Corporate and Forestry Support, who will brief Commissioners and Ministers as appropriate;
Receive reports from
Head of Plant Health;
Forestry and Climate Change Centre, Forest Research, and
Working groups established to address specific plant health issues, e.g. Red Band Needle Blight.
Method of working
The Programme Board will :
Discuss developments, especially new or changing pests;
Provide feedback to interested stakeholders, both internal and external;
Commission studies, pest risk assessments, as necessary;
Monitor progress of research projects;
Work through members’ parent bodies to provide support and resources.
The Board may call on experts, both internal and external, in particular fields to attend to discuss subjects in their area of competence.
The Board will meet twice a year in September and February, to align with the forest research purchasing process, or more frequently if events so determine.
Membership
Roger Coppock , Corporate and Forestry Support (CFS), (Chair)
Roddie Burgess, CFS
Hugh Clayden, FC Scotland
Richard Siddons, FC Wales
Laura Jones, FC England
Joan Webber, FR
Chris Inglis (ConFor)
David Sulman (UKFPA)
John Dye (TIMCON)
Nick Boulton (TTF)
John Heuch (Arboricultural Association)
The Northern Ireland Forest Service has been offered observer status at the meetings.
Biosecurity Programme Board Minutes
26/11/09
