article_snippet: England’s fledgling wine industry is threatened by a group of devastating plant diseases discovered in the country for the first time.
article_snippet: The diseases, spotted on vines at RHS gardens in Wisley, Surrey, and the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale.
article_snippet: Kent, have damaged vineyards in wine-growing countries around the world.
article_snippet: Vines are also becoming a popular plant in back gardens, with many homeowners trailing one over a trellis or up the inside of a conservatory.
article_snippet: Dr Gerard Clover, head of plant health at the RHS, said there is no sign the viruses have yet made it into commercial vineyards, but warned producers to be wary of the disease.
article_snippet: Dr Gerard Clover, head of plant health at the RHS said:
article_snippet: Dr Clover urged commercial vineyards to be aware of the risk and to only use plants that are certified as being virus-free.
article_snippet: Speaking to the Daily Mail last night, Dr Clover said:
article_snippet: But Dr Clover said that until now there has been limited monitoring for viruses in British vineyards, so the diseases are likely to be i8n other sites as well.
highlights_snippet: Disease spotted on vines at RHS gardens in Wisley, Surrey .
  
highlights_snippet: Also found at the National Fruit Collection in Brogdale, Kent .
  