Hedgerows are being threatened by disease

A bacterial disease that’s almost impossible to tackle is threatening hedgerows across County Kildare.

Kildare County Council wants to launch an awareness campaign for Kildare around Fireblight, which poses a serious risk to native hedgerows.

Cllk Noel Connolly told a KCC meeting that the requirement to use Irish origin hedging plants should be reinstated.

He said that should be done as part of the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme, which assists farmers in enhancing biodiversity.

He added planting should be delayed  until the demand-supply gap is filled.

He also called for the banning of imported Hawthorn plants because of the potential risk of importing the disease.

He said there were 17 cases of the disease in Ireland last year.

“It will devastate hedgerows, we must have locally sourced plants,” he said, adding that the disease can also impact biodiversity.