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Symptoms of Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), a fungal disease afflicting the common ash tree, have been observed in European forests since the 1990s. Since then, several variations of the fungus have been identified, with each variation causing devastating and rapid destruction within forests in a significant number of EU member states and former member states, such as the United Kingdom. The disease is regarded as one of the most severe threats to biodiversity in Europe’s woodlands, with widespread implications for the environment, forestry, and rural economies.
Since it was first detected in the UK in 2012, there has been an ongoing attempt to stem the progression of the disease in the ash population. Experts estimate that Ash Dieback has the potential to destroy 95% of the UK’s ash tree supply, a staggering figure that underlines the severity of the crisis. The situation is similarly dire in other parts of Europe, including Norway and Sweden, where more than 8 in 10 young ash trees have been destroyed by the disease. The loss of these trees, which play an integral role in local ecosystems, has cascading effects, including habitat loss for wildlife, increased soil erosion, and changes in forest composition.
Ireland’s forests have not escaped the ravages caused by Ash Dieback. In the intervening years since the first confirmed finding in 2012 at a forest site in County Leitrim—traced back to trees planted in 2009 that had been imported from continental Europe—there has been a considerable and well-organized campaign by forestry groups and farmers. They have sought the introduction of a comprehensive compensation package as part of various afforestation schemes supported by the Irish Government. These groups argue that such measures are essential to help mitigate the economic and ecological damage caused by the disease and to incentivize the replacement of diseased ash trees with alternative species.
Forestry representative organizations, such as the Social, Economic, Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA), have repeatedly criticized the Irish Government for what they have termed a decade of inaction and poor policy since the disease was first identified. According to these organizations, the Government’s slow response has left Irish foresters struggling to move past the crisis, with many facing financial ruin. This criticism has persisted despite the introduction of some governmental measures, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s (DAFM) Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback), established in March 2013. This scheme was designed to restore forests established under the afforestation program that suffered from, or were associated with, plants affected by the disease.
In 2018, the DAFM conducted a review of the national response to Ash Dieback after updated scientific advice made it clear that eradication of the disease was no longer feasible. Consequently, the current scientific approach adopted by the DAFM is to manage the impact of the disease rather than attempt eradication. The objective now is to replace ash trees with alternative species to ensure the sustainability of Ireland’s forests. However, this policy shift has sparked further debate, with critics arguing that the Government’s failure to act decisively in the early stages of the outbreak exacerbated the problem.
In June 2023, a rapid review of state supports from 2013 to 2023 was initiated to assess the effectiveness of measures introduced to combat Ash Dieback. This review is particularly notable for its strong criticism of the EU’s role in slowing down or actively opposing measures proposed to halt the advance of the disease in Irish and UK ash populations. According to the review, there is clear evidence that Ireland was actively seeking ways to tighten regulations on the free movement of ash plants before the disease was detected in 2012. However, both Ireland and the UK were directed by the European Commission to revoke emergency national legislative measures introduced post-2012 on the grounds that they breached the EU Plant Directive.
Despite these interventions, the review highlights that an All-Ireland Chalara Control Strategy was launched in July 2013 by the responsible Irish and UK Ministers. This followed a joint announcement in October 2012 of a ‘Fortress Ireland’ approach, encapsulating a policy of disease eradication. From the perspective of those involved in the 2023 review, there seemed to be little recognition at the EU level at that time that the unique island geography of Ireland and the UK required special measures to prevent the entry of the disease from mainland Europe.
Much of the criticism directed at the Irish Government’s response revolves around the perceived inadequacy of the compensatory payments made available to foresters and landowners who planted ash under a Departmental ash scheme. Critics argue that the financial support provided does not reflect the actual costs incurred by foresters in dealing with the disease. Furthermore, not all landowners with ash trees are eligible for grants, leaving private homeowners and those with ash trees in gardens or on small holdings without any financial assistance. This has been a significant source of frustration for affected parties.
Under the terms of the current Ash Dieback Reconstitution Scheme, impacted ash foresters can apply for a payment of €5,000 per hectare. This payment is intended to support ash forest owners who, in partnership with the DAFM, clear ash dieback sites and carry out replanting. A spokesperson for the DAFM has clarified that this payment will be disbursed in three instalments: an upfront payment of €2,500, followed by two annual payments of €1,250 at the second and third grant stages, four years after replanting.
However, forestry organizations such as SEEFA and the Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners (LTWO) have sharply criticized this level of payment, pointing out that clearance costs alone can run as high as €6,500 per hectare. This means that the grants fall far short of meeting the financial burden, leaving many foresters in a position where they may have to borrow to clear the land of diseased ash trees. This financial strain has prompted renewed calls for the Government to increase grant rates to more realistic levels.
The Irish Government has sought to address these criticisms by offering an additional €5,000 per hectare under the Climate Action Performance Payment. This payment is available to ash foresters who have cleared and replanted their sites under a Department Reconstitution Scheme. However, foresters have countered that this additional payment is effectively meaningless if they cannot afford the initial costs of clearing diseased sites. Without completing the clearing and replanting process, foresters cannot avail of the Climate Action Performance Payment, leaving them trapped in a cycle of financial hardship.
There is no indication yet that the Irish Government will yield to demands for further increases in grant rates. This reluctance has led many to predict that entire areas of Irish forest will remain filled with diseased trees for the foreseeable future. This inaction will not only exacerbate the spread of the disease but also undermine Ireland’s ability to meet its afforestation targets. According to data compiled by SEEFA, Ireland was already significantly behind its 2024 target of planting 8,000 hectares of new forest. Without further revisions to the Reconstitution Scheme, these shortfalls are likely to continue, hampering the country’s broader environmental and climate goals.
The broader implications of Ash Dieback extend beyond forestry economics. The loss of ash trees has a profound impact on biodiversity, cultural heritage, and rural communities. Ash trees are a keystone species in many ecosystems, providing habitats for numerous plants and animals. The disappearance of ash from the landscape also represents a cultural loss, as the species is deeply rooted in Irish folklore and traditions. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach that goes beyond financial compensation, incorporating measures to preserve genetic diversity, support reforestation, and raise public awareness about the ecological importance of ash trees.
In conclusion, the Ash Dieback crisis has highlighted significant shortcomings in Ireland’s forestry policy and its ability to respond to environmental challenges. As the disease continues to devastate ash populations across Europe, the need for a coordinated and adequately funded response has never been more urgent. Whether the Irish Government will rise to this challenge remains to be seen, but the stakes could not be higher for Ireland’s forests, rural communities, and natural heritage.