Cherry laurel, a plant that grows in Fermoy Town Park, has been deemed to be a ‘significant driver of biodiversity loss’, its use resulting in having major impacts to ecosystem services, major economic impacts and moderate social and human health impacts, according to a detailed risk assessment carried out on the plant.
The risk assessment, produced by the National Biodiversity Data Centre at the request of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, has found that cherry laurel (prunus laurocerasus L) is a high risk invasive species.
Both the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) and the Gaelic Woodland Project are calling on Government to commit to a clear, published timeline for a nationwide ban on the plant’s sale.
They are calling for cherry laurel to be formally listed as a Species of National Concern, and to submit a proposal to the European Commission to add cherry laurel to the EU Alien Invasive Species list.
Full story in this week’s Print & Digital Edition.
