The Official Journal of the European Union (DUE) has published the new Regulation on measures for the containment and eradication of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe, whose objective is to prevent its introduction and guarantee its containment. This new Regulation replaces the previous ones, which were based on the latest research by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
As reflected by Olimerca, among the measures, in force since last August 20, is the reduction of the radius of the eradication zone from 100 to 50 meters, a measure that divides the area affected by the uptake by four. In addition, the associated buffer zone has also been halved, aimed at preventing the spread of the bacteria to unaffected areas.
In order to eradicate the specified pest and prevent its spread to the rest of the Union, Member States must establish demarcated areas consisting of an infected zone and a buffer zone, and apply eradication measures. The width of the buffer zones must be proportional to the level of risk and the ability of the vector to spread.
However, in cases of isolated occurrence of the specified pest, the establishment of a demarcated area will not be required if the pest can be eliminated from newly introduced plants on which it has been detected. This will be the most proportionate approach when surveys in the affected area lead to the conclusion that the specified pest is not established.
In order to ensure the immediate removal of infected plants and to prevent the spread of the specified pest in the rest of the Union territory, the control of the demarcated areas should be carried out annually at the most appropriate time of the year.
Monitoring should also focus on vectors present in the demarcated area to determine the risk of their further spread and to assess the effectiveness of phytosanitary control measures applied to the vector population at all stages.
