BUFFER zones to tackle the spread of oak processionary moth (OPM) in England have been extended.
Southampton, Test Valley and Bedford are among the locations now included under the designation, which also reaches into parts of Wiltshire and New Forest. Meanwhile, the established area has been expanded to cover the likes of St Albans and East Hertfordshire.
In all the new area – implemented from today – stretches to around 8,800 square miles; that's roughly the size of Wales.
Andrew Hoppit, Oak Processionary Moth project manager, said: “Oak processionary moth larvae can cause significant damage to oak trees and pose a risk to human and animal health.
"These new measures are designed to minimise the spread and impact of the pest and protect our precious oak trees, as part of our wider tree health protection regime.
“Any sightings should be reported to the Forestry Commission via our TreeAlert portal.”
OPM caterpillars and their nests contain hairs which can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritations, and should not be touched under any circumstances.
They feed on oak leaves and can increase trees’ vulnerability to attack by other pests and diseases, making them less able to withstand adverse weather conditions, such as drought and floods.
The greatest human and animal health risk period is May to July when the caterpillars emerge and feed before pupating into adult moths.
First identified in England 2006, the pest is now present in London and surrounding counties. OPM management varies across England to reflect the known distribution of the pest and to protect uninfected areas. A government programme to manage OPM has been in place since 2012 to control its spread and reduce pest prevalence, undertaken by the Forestry Commission.
READ MORE: How far and fast has OPM come in 16 years?
Landowners, the public, and trade are urged to remain vigilant for the pest and report any sightings to the Forestry Commission via its TreeAlert portal, by emailing opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk or calling 0300 067 4442.
Later this year, new regulation will come into force that will permit the movement of large oak trees within the OPM Buffer Zone and Established Area, provided specific biosecurity and movement measures are met.
Any Professional Operators in the Buffer Zone or Established area for 2023 should speak to their Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI) now to discuss biosecurity requirements including what they need to do to prepare.
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