OAK PROCESSIONARY MOTH

Those who value trees and woodlands recognize many problems facing them but the oak processionary moth, Thaumetopoea processionea (OPM) - that arrived in London in 2006 needs urgent attention. Few people have heard of OPM whose caterpillar defoliates not only oak trees but a range of popular urban trees like flowering cherries and birch. So without public being aware of the problem, attempts to control have been spasmodic and only this year the government decided ending the policy of eradicating this pest in favour of a 'containment policy' around London as a savings measure. No estimates are available of the long term costs to tax payers, businesses or local authorities as the moth advances.

However, it is the threat to human and animal health, caused by the shed toxic hairs of the Oak Processionary Moth caterpillars that create most concern, as these give rise to rashes on the skin that turns into pustules, severe eye irritation and, if inhaled, respiratory problems. Blindness and death from serious anaphylactic reaction have been known. Worryingly no estimates have been made of the cost to the National Health Service or animal welfare including susceptible pets like horses and dogs. In Europe, in plague years, people are forced to stay indoors whilst parks and play areas are closed and sporting fixtures cancelled.

The potential costs and the suffering to humans and animals when this pest becomes endemic are enormous. Therefore it is critical that everyone are immediately made aware of these facts to challenge the government's short term savings policy and urge reinstate the eradication programme with vigour. This would involve importing the techniques and specialist equipment already developed in Europe to deal with this pest, such as the effective method of an industrial vacuum sucking the caterpillars into a mobile oven that incinerates them on site when the waste ash is harmless and can be disposed of normally. Other wise the hairs can remain toxic for five years.

These facts, including the experiences in Europe, are available to anyone with internet access so people can research it for themselves. Then they may take such action they think appropriate, such as alerting fellow citizens, local newspapers as well as MPs to the dangers and future costs to the public if the government does not immediately reverse its policy. Only prompt and vigorous action in 2012 will prevent this pest becoming endemic in the UK with all the long term consequences and costs.

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