On Monday 29 July, the European Commission identified shortcomings in the way France implements the 2015 decision on measures to control Xylella fastidiosa, the disease that affects olive trees.
The EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) report notes that since the last audit in March 2017, “measures” [have been] “implemented at national level to ensure the direct application of the provisions of the Decision” on the control of this disease.
But experts point to failures. In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, surveillance reportedly does not cover some parts of the buffer zones. “The eradication measures in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur are not in line with the Decision” as the authorities did not eliminate all host plants, regardless of their state of health, within the 100-metre radius around plants contaminated by Xylella fastidiosa. “Therefore, a plant health risk of further spread of [Xylella fastidosa] to the EU territory exists”, warns the FVO.
In Corsica, experts have revealed a lack of controls in some ports and airports. In addition, a decree by the Prefect of Corsica on the entry of certain plants into the EU territory “is not in line with the provisions of the EU decision”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)