The route then travels through Radnor, Crychan and Halfway woodlands, which are also not affected by the infection, before finishing in woodlands near Resolven where P. ramorum is present on Japanese larch trees.

P. ramorum can be spread by tree needles and soil clinging to people or vehicles but, as the planned rally route takes competitors from uninfected woodlands to infected woodlands, the risk of cars spreading the disease is greatly reduced.

Cars will be washed down with disinfectant at the end of the competitive route, before they travel to Cardiff for the ceremonial finish.

Spectators will be asked to follow some simple biosecurity precautions, such as keeping to paths, cleaning footwear and not taking any plant material away to minimise the spread of infection.

P. ramorum was found on Japanese larch trees in south Wales in June. Surveys of woodlands are ongoing and, as it is likely the infection has spread further, Forestry Commission Wales and the organisers will closely monitor developments in the run-up to the rally.

Forestry Commission Wales is also holding discussions with the organisers of a wide variety of other events to consider options for those that are planned for later this year.

The Swansea Bay Rally that was due to take place on 17 July in the forests around Resolven has been postponed as the route meant cars would be travelling between infected woodlands and uninfected areas several times, thereby presenting a high risk of spreading the disease.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• P. ramorum is a fungus-like pathogen that kills many of the trees that it infects. It was found on Japanese larch trees in South West England last year, and in woodland managed by Forestry Commission Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government in the Afan Valley, near Port Talbot, Dulais Valley near Crynant and Garw Valley, near Bridgend in June.

• The outbreak in South Wales is the first time P. ramorum has been found on Japanese larch trees outside of South West England.

• P. ramorum is not harmful to humans or animals.

• The public woodlands affected by P. ramorum remain open and signs at forest entrances ask visitors to observe some simple biosecurity precautions to minimise the spread of infection.