Detail

European Union

Oilseeds, oils and meals

Olive trees

01/08/2020

Other

Pest control measures

Eased certain regulations concerning the control of olive tree disease xylella fastidiosa. Under amended rules, the area around infected plants where trees must be uprooted and the buffer zone applying to preventive measures have been reduced. Conversely, strict requirements regarding surveillance activities, contingency plans, high-risk product movement within the EU and third country imports remain in place.

EUROPEAN UNION – pest control (xylella fastidiosa): Based on recent research carried out by EFSA and experience gathered in the different EU outbreak areas, the European Commission amended its regulations regarding the control of xylella fastidiosa, the disease that has affected olive groves across the bloc. Under the new rules, the size of “infection zone”, i.e. the area around infected plants where trees must be uprooted, has been reduced by half, as has the “buffer zone” (around affected areas), which is aimed at preventing the spread of the disease to unaffected areas. In addition, individual “buffer zones” will be determined based on whether the disease is actively spreading and what eradication measures have been taken. Furthermore, Member States will be required to i) intensify their surveillance activities in order to identify outbreaks more rapidly; ii) develop contingency plans and protocols to be applied in case of outbreaks; and iii) conduct awareness building activities. In regions where eradication of the disease is no longer feasible, concerned authorities should concentrate their efforts on containment measures. The new regulations also envisage increased scrutiny of high-risk product movement within the EU, along with strict criteria for third country imports.