Brussels, 18/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 18 July, the Council of the EU adopted, without debate, the regulation on plant health (EUROPE 11456).
The text aims to prevent the introduction on harmful organisms, such as Xylella fastidiosa, and more effectively combat such plant-killing bacteria. Council has opted for an open import system containing two lists: the first indicating the plants that are not allowed into the EU and the second naming those that have to satisfy specific requirements before they can be imported.
The Netherlands abstained from voting on the regulation on protective measures against organisms that are harmful to plants, taking the view that the measures on imports are disproportionate (with regard to the real level of risk). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)