Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the spread of European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus in the UK; and what mitigating measures can be taken to slow its spread.

We have a dedicated programme of risk and horizon scanning, which continuously and proactively assesses emerging threats to plant health and the potential impact on the UK.

A comprehensive Pest Risk Analysis for European mountain ash ring-spot-associated virus (EMARAV) was conducted in 2013. This is available to view on the published UK Plant Health Risk Register (https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/) and is attached to this answer. It provides the basis for the inclusion of the pest on that national prioritisation tool.

EMARAV is a virus of the genus Sorbus, commonly known as Rowan or European mountain ash. Evidence demonstrates the virus has a widespread presence in Scotland and previous findings in other parts of the UK. The virus has a limited impact and is considered to pose a low risk to the UK. Statutory action is not taken against this pathogen.