Brussels, 07/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - Despite the fact that EU experts have not reached an agreement on strengthening measures to prevent the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, a bacteria that has killed olive trees in Italy (see EUROPE 11284), France decided to take the initiative in this connection on Saturday 4 April.
A ruling was published on Saturday 4 April to ban the imports into France of plants that could be susceptible to the Xyllela fastidiosa bacteria and which come from areas that have been affected by it. This ban involves intra-European trade in the Puglia region, as well as imports from areas affected in third countries. It will also involve toughening up the inspection and surveillance plan throughout France.
On 16 January, in response to concerns about the significant risk of this health hazard spreading, the very high economic costs that could impact on French plant subsidiaries and given the close proximity of certain regions such as Corsica to Italian regions affected, Stéphane Le Foll, called for European measures to be introduced. Although the disease has not yet been detected in France, the Xylella fastidiosa bacteria is transmitted and spread by insects and attacks different plant species (vines, citrus fruits, prunus trees and shrubs, coffee, avocados, alfalfa, Oleander, oak and maple trees etc.). Xylella fastidiosa has affected the southern province of Puglia since 2013 and mainly affects the Lecce region. Around 10% of olive trees in this region have been affected. The European Commission has called for them to be destroyed.
The Italian MEP from the M5S Movement, Rosa d'Amato, has described the measures taken by France as “unilateral” and in breach of Community Law. (Lionel Changeur)