Mid Scotland and Fife MSP and Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Claire Baker, has raised her fears for the future of ash trees in the Kingdom after Ash Dieback was confirmed in Kinghorn.

Ash Dieback is a fungus disease which affects ash trees and was first diagnosed in the UK at the beginning of this year. The disease has the potential to cause major damage to the UK’s 80 million ash tree population as affected trees may have to be destroyed. The disease had previously infected 90% of ash trees in Denmark and could be as devastating as the Dutch Elm disease which killed or destroyed millions of elm trees in the 1970s and 80s.

The disease was first suspected in Scotland in July at a site near Kilmacolm in the West of Scotland. Since then further tests have revealed that ash dieback has spread, including to Fife, and is present in trees near Kinghorn. Other sites in the surrounding area include Cowdenbeath, Glendevon, Blairgowrie and Scone.

Whilst a summit was held in the Scottish Parliament this week the Scottish Government have come under criticism for the length of time it has taken them to inform the public since they first became aware of the disease.

Speaking from Kirkcaldy, Claire Baker said:

“I was shocked to learn that ash dieback has spread into the Kingdom and is attacking our ash trees. The Scottish Government have been aware that this disease has been in the country since the beginning of this year but it was only until the final week in October that the wider public and parliament were informed.

“What we are seeing at the moment is the Scottish Government closing the stable door well and truly after the horse has bolted. The SNP failed to be proactive in containing the disease when it first came to their attention and now the Fife countryside has been put at risk.

“I will be writing to the Forestry Commission in Scotland to find out what action they will be taking to contain the disease and ensure it doesn’t spread across the whole of Fife.”