The SWD working group

Female SWD copyright Nicolas Gompel

Set up in 2011 before the arrival of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in the UK, this working group is chaired by Harriet Duncalfe and includes representation from businesses and organisations that are likely to be affected by SWD.

 Its purpose is to share information on the spread of SWD, the damage that it causes and the latest research results from all projects both in the UK and overseas. It also provides a forum for discussing issue management and drawing together the industry so that every party is aware of changes or new information that may come to light. The group has successfully liaised with government departments to agree on approaches to management and control. 

One crucial role of the group has been to link the research programme to industry needs, ensuring that growers can influence and steer the research work. Chair Harriet Duncalfe has worked closely with Marion Regan who chaired an industry project steering group to keep the research focussed and on track.

The group has served a useful purpose since SWD arrived in the UK and its structure lends itself to dealing with other invasive pests affecting fruit crops. 

The SWD working group currently includes representatives from:

A.C. Hulme & Sons NFU
Berry Gardens Growers Niab
BerryWorld Royal Horticultural Society
British Berry Growers Scottish Government
CRD Soil Association
Defra The James Hutton Institute
Fera The Natural Resources Institute
H&H Duncalfe Tomato Growers Association
Hugh Lowe Farms Ltd UK Vineyard Association
Hutchinsons Ltd The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers

Anyone wishing to find out more about SWD and how the working group operates should contact secretariat Scott Raffle.