The planting of new spruce trees will be banned across some areas near Southampton after sightings of a pest which can cause "significant damage" to the UK's forestry.
A prohibition on planting new spruce trees will come into affect from October 29 to prevent the spread of the Ips typographus, known as the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle.
It affects much of the South East and East Anglia, including eastern Southampton and areas east of the M3 corridor, and will affect industries including Christmas tree growers.
The pest, which poses a serious threat to spruce trees, was first identified in the UK in 2018.
The decision comes after further findings this year, including the first UK sighting of Ips typographus on Sitka spruce in July.
According to the Woodland Trust, the beetle can kill trees, while it can also carry a pathogenic fungus which can discolour the timber and impact its commercial value.
The pest is known to favour stressed or dying trees, but can attack healthy ones under the right conditions.
Forestry Commission head of plant health forestry Andrea Deol said: "Ips typographus can have a serious impact on spruce trees, and so restricting spruce planting in some areas of East and South East England ahead of the tree-planting season will help with our ongoing eradication efforts.
"All landowners, managers and timber processors are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the pest via our Tree Alert Portal."
Defra chief plant health officer Professor Nicola Spence said: "Pest and pathogens present a great risk for our biosecurity and, in particular, Ips typographus has the potential to cause significant damage to Great Britain’s forestry and timber industries.
"These new restrictions are part of continued action to limit the spread of the beetle and protect our nation’s trees and forest industries. All landowners and land managers should check the health of spruce trees on their land and take swift action to deal with any susceptible material."
Existing restrictions remain in place to control the pest's spread through timber movement, requiring pre-notification and authorisation by the Forestry Commission for any felling and movement of susceptible material within the demarcated area.
Exemptions to the new restrictions are available for lower risk scenarios. This includes trees grown at nurseries, for ornamental or scientific purposes and for the purpose of trade in large Christmas trees.
The Forestry Commission has urged landowners, businesses, and land managers to comply with these new regulations and remain vigilant against the beetle. Any sightings should be reported to the Forestry Commission via the TreeAlert online portal.
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