England ’ s fledgling wine industry is threatened by a group of devastating plant diseases discovered in the country for the first time . Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society in recent months have identified four separate viruses which can obliterate grape crops . The diseases , spotted on vines at RHS gardens in Wisley , Surrey , and the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale . Kent , have damaged vineyards in wine-growing countries around the world . Outbreaks of the disease can result in reduced yields , delayed fruit ripening and overly-acidic grapes . The only way to properly deal with the problem is to pull up the plants , experts say . Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society have identified four separate viruses which can obliterate grape crops ( file picture ) The warning comes after wine producers announced this week that they are to apply for the name ‘ Sussex wine ’ to be given protected ‘ designation of origin ’ status , putting it in the same league as Champagne and Bordeaux . The reputation of English wine has grown immeasurably in recent years , particularly in warm and sunny Sussex , which has similar soil and climate to the Champagne region of France . Sales of sparking English wine are expected to hit £100million in 2015 , following a boom in the number of vineyards in recent years . In 2014 alone 46 wine producers opened in southern England , a 50 per cent year-on-year increase in new firms . 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 . 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 . Writing in the trade journal the Grape Press , due to be published next month , he said : ‘ The discovery of four grapevine viruses not previously reported in the UK during an in initial survey suggests there is no room for complacency . ‘ These viruses have the potential to spread and cause damage to the UK ’ s developing grapevine industry. ’ The four viruses cause different problems to plants , including leafroll disease , stem pitting , and fleck disease . Outbreaks of the disease can result in reduced yields , delayed fruit ripening and overly-acidic grapes ( file picture ) They are thought to have come to our shores on imports of infected plants , but can also be spread by mealybugs and scale insects . Dr Clover urged commercial vineyards to be aware of the risk and to only use plants that are certified as being virus-free . Speaking to the Daily Mail last night , he said : ‘ We found four of these viruses in Wisley and one at Brogdale . But we found them because we knew what we were looking for . ‘ The symptoms could easily be mistaken for something else - nutrient deficiencies for example , or other problems . ‘ We visited two commercial sites in Suffolk and Surrey and found no signs of the viruses at either. ’ But he 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 . He added : ‘ It is reasonable to suggest that they could have spread further , but it is impossible to say how far . ‘ Luckily we have caught this early so we have opportunity to do something about it . ’
RHS identify four separate viruses which can obliterate infected grapes . Experts say the only way to deal with viruses is to pull up plants . Disease spotted on display at RHS gardens in Wisley , Surrey . Also detected at the National vine nursery in Brogdale , Kent . Can result in reduced yields , reduced fruit ripening and overly - acidic grapes .