Brussels, 30/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 30 April in Strasbourg, MEPs called on the European Commission to take more ambitious measures to avoid the infection and spread of the Xylella fastidios bacterium. This bacterium kills olive trees and has been identified in the south of Italy. Italian MEPs also denounced the Commission strategy based on uprooting olive trees and the massive use of pesticides (phytosanitary treatment).
Many MEPs called for a research programme to be set up to find a remedy for this disease and for compensation measures to be considered for farmers affected in the Puglia region. Many of them called for strengthening of the border protection system.
Paolo De Castro (S&D, Italy) drafted the oral question and welcomed the ban on importing coffee plants from Costa Rica and Honduras. He mentioned the question of damages (compensation measures) for farmers that have been affected and said that public funds would be required to examine the disease more thoroughly and to eradicate it. He stated “We need swift action, if this is not forthcoming this pathogen will spread very quickly”.
Neven Mimica, speaking on behalf of the Commission, outlined the measures taken by EU experts (see EUROPE 11305). The Commission is concerned because there is no effective treatment to tackle Xylella fastidiosa. At the end of the debate, Mimica attempted to defend the measures taken by the EU and made a commitment to enhancing scientific research into this disease. He demonstrated his awareness of the difficulties confronting Italian farmers and said that “the Commission is prepared to use all possible options to financially support compensation measures included in our legislation”.
Esther Herranz Garcia (EPP, Spain) said that the measures taken by the EU went in the right direction. Nonetheless, they needed to draw up a list of third countries where the disease has been identified. She explained that 50 billion plants had been imported into the EU and concluded “I am concerned by the serious risk of this disease spreading in the EU, which could affect Mediterranean crops, including grapes and citrus fruits”. Clara Eugenia Aguilera Garcia (S&D, Spain) criticised the Commission for its late response. She said that the European border protection system was not functioning. She deplored the fact that the phytosanitary package at the Council had been blocked. Ivan Jakovcic (ALDE, Croatia) emphasised that olive trees were going to be sacrificed, with repercussions on the landscape and environment. He explained that all olive tree plantations in Italy should be inspected. Eleonora Forenza (GUE/NGL, Italy) said that the Commission had no idea of the consequences of this disaster (a devastated landscape and an undermined economy). She said that even EFSA had said that systematic uprooting was useless. José Bové (Greens/EFA, France) spoke of a “plant plague” and advocated three measures: extend entry bans (to Florida, California and Mexico), support small producers in Puglia (he called for an agricultural crisis reserve to be set up) and a complete ban on at-risk plant exports that come from the zone, as well as the possibility of developing double lock closures to prevent inset attacks). Rosa d'Amato (ELDD, Italy) criticised the Commission for large-scale use of pesticides in Puglia. She called on the Commission to “review your decision”. Giovanni La Via (EPP, Italy) said that they needed to carry out studies to see whether citrus fruit and grapes could be affected by the disease and highlighted the need for border controls. In May, the EP will adopt a resolution on Xylella fastidiosa. (Lionel Changeur)