Financial and legal responsibility are being placed farmers to deal with road safety issues caused by ash tree dieback disease.
More than 80 per cent of Ireland’s ash population is estimated to be vulnerable to the disease with only one to two per cent being naturally tolerant.
Pat McCormack, president of ICMSA, believes that ash dieback could cause as much damage as Dutch elm disease.
The ICMSA is urging the Government to give to support farmers removing dead or infected trees.
“Given the predominance of ash on roadside hedgerows, the possibility of a very large number of dead trees is a real concern from a road safety perspective and is, potentially, a very significant cost,” he added.
However, Government and State bodies have declined to accept any responsibility for the roadside trees and saying landowners are responsible.
The Local Authority Management Agency said: “Local authorities can take action against a landowner or occupier if they do not fulfil this obligation.”
In the UK, £4bn to £5bn will need to spent over the next 10 years to make ash trees secure along roadsides and train lines.
LSL News.