In response to the letter from Mr and Mrs Burbery on the subject of the brown tailed moth (Letters, May 9), I have been in contact with Rob Greenland, manager of Brighton and Hove City Council's arboricultural department, since October 2006.

Up to now, some 13 emails have gone to and fro on this subject.

On April 23, a strategy was drawn up to deal with this outbreak that involved both flailing and spraying.

This process is ongoing at the moment and will continue for some time The council has been extremely pro-active with the problem this year and under the stewardship of Rob Greenland has, I believe, got on top of it.

A point to consider is that the council has to obtain permission to go on to private land and premises in order to spray.

Finally, I have been trying through our MP Celia Barlow to put pressure on the Department for Transport to do something about the problem on the side of the A27 where I believe it originated.

Mr and Mrs Burbery will be receiving a copy of the council strategy.