Barber: Tree disease a 'major challenge' for government

Minister says DEFA can't manage it alone

Tree disease on the Isle of Man is proving a ‘major challenge’ for the Government.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it can’t manage ash dieback and Dutch elm disease alone.

Earlier this month an arboriculturalist claimed a lack of management was putting motorists at risk and called for a strategy to manage thousands of unhealthy trees lining the Island’s roads.

This week, Tynwald approved DEFA’s 2022 department plan which makes up part of the Island Plan.

Minister Clare Barber has confirmed her department is working with the Department of Infrastructure and says safety has to be the priority: