The European Commission took the decision on Thursday 17 May to refer Italy to the European Court of Justice on the grounds that the Italian authorities are not taking the necessary measures to eradicate the quarantine harmful organism Xylella fastidiosa in Apulia.
“Italy did not put the necessary measures in place to eradicate” this disease which attacks olive trees and “the spread of the epidemic has not been halted”, said a commission spokesperson.
Following the notification of the first outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa in the Apulia region in October 2013, the Italian authorities failed to fully comply with the EU rules on quarantine organisms harmful to plants or plant products and prevent its further spread in Apulia (Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 and Council Directive 2000/29/EC), the Commission points out. These measures involve, inter alia, the removal of infected plants in the affected parts of the demarcated areas and the taking of samples. “The timetable communicated by Italy was considered not effective to ensure the immediate removal of the infected trees”, the Commission states. This lack of adequate action increases the high risk of further spreading of the organism out of the current demarcated area. A letter and a supplementary letter of formal notice had already been sent in December 2015 and in July 2016, followed by a reasoned opinion in July 2017. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)