Sharma and Bale meet Minister to seek assistance for controlling an outbreak of the Oak Processionary Moth

Following recent discussions with local Pangbourne residents, Councillor Pamela Bale, West Berkshire Council and the Forestry Commission, Reading West MP Alok Sharma organised a meeting with Jim Paice, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to discuss the outbreak of the Oak Processionary Moth (“OPM”) in Pangbourne and seek assistance in helping to eradicate this disease.

OPM was first found in London - at Kew and in the surrounding area in 2006 - and subsequently in Ealing. The pest spread and the annual cost of treating infected trees is significant. Also people can suffer skin irritation or respiratory problems if they come in contact with the caterpillars moths. The OPM has spread in London despite considerable attempts to control it. Hence the local desire to ensure appropriate resource and management to help to control and eradicate OPM from Pangbourne.

Including the Minister and representatives of WBC and the Forestry Commission, representatives from the offices of Henley MP John Howell and Newbury MP Richard Benyon also attended. Trees in both constituencies are at risk if the Pangbourne outbreak, which has already spread over one kilometre, is not contained and continues to spread.

The history of the outbreak in Pangbourne and the financial impact on property owners was discussed at the meeting, together with plans to eradicate the pest from the Pangbourne area.

Plans are being put in place for further treatment of infected trees in the spring, and the Forestry Commission agreed to continue to survey the area of 1 kilometre from the importation site together with the extended area surveyed in 2011. The priority for areas to be surveyed will be based on the population of infected trees. The Forestry Commission also agreed that if an infected tree is found towards the periphery of the survey area, then they will extend the survey for a further 500 metres from that point.

Property owners will still be responsible for treating infected trees in 2012 – and possibly neighbouring trees if these are considered at risk. Fortunately, West Berkshire Council officers have been able to negotiate a bulk contract for treatment of the trees, and this will result in a considerably reduced cost to residents.

Alok Sharma said: “It was incredibly helpful to get Jim Paice’s support for the work to be done by the Forestry Commission in this critical year. The OPM is not only bad news for oak trees but can also present a potential health risk for humans and so it is vital that this outbreak is contained and eradicated before it spreads and does any more damage.”

Pangbourne Councillor and Deputy Leader of WBC Pamela Bale said: “I am delighted that Alok was able to secure a meeting with the Minister so quickly and we now feel we have a good plan in place to deal with this problem which has already cost local residents a considerable sum in having to treat infected trees on their properties. Thankfully the Council has managed to negotiate a bulk contract for the treatment of trees which should help to reduce treatment costs.”