Brussels, 17/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission updated agriculture ministers on Monday 16 March on the Xylella fastidiosa situation. This bacterium has the potential to lead to significant losses for agriculture and the whole agrifood chain.
The services of Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said that, on 26 and/or 27 March, member state experts will discuss a review of emergency measures in the event of an outbreak of the disease. The European Commissioner said during the press conference on Monday 16 March that he was concerned about Xylella fastidiosa and that trees affected, such as the olive trees in Italy, had to be cut down, even though this could be “painful” for farmers.
At the Council, Italy set out the national measures it had taken (state of emergency since 10 February). France highlighted the risk of spread and stressed the need for prevention measures. Likewise, Spain said that phytosanitary measures had to be strengthened. Portugal took the same line as Spain and France. The United Kingdom, Austria, Slovakia, Greece, Croatia and the Czech Republic all said there was a need for emergency measures.
An outbreak was declared in Puglia in October 2013, with olives trees badly infected. The Commission says that the emergency measures taken by Italy were insufficient. The Commission fears the spread of this disease to vines and citrus trees. (Lionel Changeur)