A real concern for the entire Island, long term.

The response of the Director of the Manx Wildlife Trust to the news that the Island's fight against Dutch Elm disease is to be cut back.

The news was announced in Tynwald this week by Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister John Shimmin.

He told the court due to departmental cutbacks, his department could no longer afford large-scale surveys of the Island's estimated 300,000 Elm trees, though there would still be limited control efforts carried out.

Duncan Bridges says he believes it's a dangerous move which could be extremely damaging for the Island should Dutch Elm disease take hold