GARDENERS are being urged to write to their local garden centre
to ask it to stock only plants and trees grown in Britain, in order
to reduce the risk that new diseases will ravage flora.
Christian Ecology Link (CEL) is encouraging people to take
action to limit the risk of more diseases, such as ash dieback,
which is now attacking ash trees, from entering the UK. Another way
to limit the risk is to choose to buy much smaller trees, which are
less likely to harbour pests and diseases.
It said: "When 17th- and 18thcentury plant-hunters like Joseph
Banks returned from long sea voyages to introduce new species to
England, they little knew the consequences of the trend they would
inspire. During the years which have followed, the international
plant trade has allowed many and diverse pests and diseases to
cross the world."
CEL has drafted a letter for individuals to use. It is available
at www.greenchristian.org.uk.