01/02/2018 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission has earmarked some €154 million for 2018 (compared with €165 million in 2017) to combat animal diseases and support survey programmes for plant pests, it announced on 1 February. In animal health, €141 million will go to support for the implementation of the 134 approved programmes for eradication, control and surveillance of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, rabies, bovine brucellosis, African swine fever and lumpy skin disease. And in the area of plant health, the EU has committed close to €13 million for 46 plant pest survey programmes in 24 member states in 2018, with the greatest portion of the funds going towards efforts against Xylella fastidiosa, which is devastating olive trees in the south of Italy.