In the relentless fight to protect Britain’s woodlands from invasive pests and pathogens, the government has unveiled a £4 million reinforcement – a state-of-the-art research lab dedicated to studying and containing tree health threats.
Furthermore, the new facility at the Forest Research Alice Holt Research Station in Surrey promises to expand the nation’s capacity to combat looming dangers like the notorious emerald ash borer and other aggressive tree-disease spreaders.
“The UK is a world leader in tree health and biosecurity, and today we are going further in boosting our armoury,” declared Biosecurity Minister Lord Douglas-Miller. “Building on the existing vital work of Alice Holt will be a key part of achieving this.”
Key Stats:
- £4M invested in new containment facility
- Doubles capacity of existing Alice Holt lab
- 2,350 pests/diseases reported via TreeAlert in 2023-24
- Rising threats from climate change cited
Bolstering Biosecurity Boundaries
The funding comes as part of the government’s National Plant Health Week efforts and commitment to fortifying biosecurity under the new Border Target Operating Model. Moreover, the expanded lab will nearly double Alice Holt’s current containment capabilities.
Consequently, this will allow Forest Research experts to investigate emerging pests and pathogens within a secure, controlled environment using cutting-edge equipment.
“Pests and diseases cause significant damage and economic losses,” warned Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence. “Funding this new facility will boost our capacity in the fight against new and emerging threats.”
Forestry’s Front Line
With climate change enabling the spread of new tree plagues, the urgency is clear. Figures show 2,350 potential cases were flagged via the public TreeAlert system last year alone.
The facility’s enhanced research scope aims to prepare for high-risk incomers not yet present in the UK, like the tree-killing emerald ash borer beetle which has already wrought havoc across North America.
“It is vital that we expand our research to counter new tree health outbreaks which are a threat to our nation’s trees,” stated Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley. “This new facility will boost and expand our response to ensure trees are resilient for the future.”
Experts on the Offense
Forest Research Chief Executive Professor James Pendlebury welcomed the investment as critical to continuing the organisation’s world-leading work protecting UK forests for posterity.
“This will help Forest Research fight to safeguard our trees and woodlands for future generations,” he affirmed.
While threats escalate, the government has set ambitious targets to increase England’s woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050 – making the success of facilities like Alice Holt’s even more pivotal.
Vigilance on All Fronts
Public awareness also remains key. People are urged to report any troubling tree symptoms via TreeAlert, supporting the national Plant Biosecurity Strategy‘s collaborative vision.
The new lab forms part of almost £10 million invested by Defra over the past five years into bolstering the UK’s tree health defences.
With the new facility slated for completion in early 2025, Britain’s foresters are gearing up to bring the latest advances to bear in the age-old battle against nature’s invaders.
Check www.forestresearch.gov.uk/about-us/the-holt-laboratory for project updates and details on how to join the citizen science efforts protecting our woodlands.
Sources: THX News, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Forestry Commission, Forest Research, & Robbie Douglas-Miller OBE.
