An invasive plant disease could threaten the UK's gin industry

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Following the news that pubs are set to close earlier under new restrictions, the last thing people will want to hear is that gin supply is under threat.An invasive plant disease is putting the UK gin industry at risk and therefore putting a chance of a cheeky G&T on the line.According to new research, the Phytophthora austrocedri pathogen has been found to be spreading through juniper trees in Scotland, which produces 70% of the spirit across the four nations.And it might not be just gin that is under threat.Experts at the Plant Health Centre, including Professor Fiona Burnett from Scotland’s Rural College, warn other spirits such as whisky could also be hit by disease.Prof Burnett said: "Plant Health Week is a chance to flag that everyone.