The UK could be facing a repeat of the impact of Dutch elm disease among its native ash trees without immediate action to stop a destructive fungus spreading from Europe, conservationists warn.
The Woodland Trust is calling for a mandatory ban on the import of ash trees from outside the UK to stop Chalara dieback of ash becoming established.
Without a compulsory ban, ash dieback could become the new Dutch elm disease, causing widespread destruction of one of the country's most common native broadleaf trees, the trust said.
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