Area
European Union
Commodity Group
Oilseeds, oils and meals
Commodity
Disease \'xylella fastidiosa\'
Date
01/12/2017
Policy Category
Other
Policy Instrument
Pest control measures & regulations
Description
Agreed on a roadmap outlining steps to combat the bacterial disease that threatens olive trees and other plants across the EU.
Notes
Ten EU member countries agreed on a road map outlining next steps to combat the bacterial disease xylella fastidiosa that was first detected on olive trees in Italy in 2013 and is now present in four member states, threatening a range of crops (see also MPPU Feb.17). The European Food Safety Authority agreed to update its 2015 risk assessment of the disease, and the European Commission offered to make available EUR 10 million (USD 12.1 million) to support research, improve prevention measures and combat the pest. Concerned countries highlighted the need to i) restrict the movement of risky material within the EU, ii) enhance detection and surveillance and maintain an updated list of locations where the disease is present, and iii) consider containment strategies where eradication is not possible. Currently, no treatment exists for the insect-transmitted pest. The European Unions past focus on culling infected trees in Italys Apulia region met with resistance by local growers (see MPPU July16).
