Commission plan to destroy 11m olive trees needs more research, says EFSA
The European Commission had proposed cutting down the trees to halt the spread of the pathogen Xylella fastidiosa – but Peacelink urged it to reconsider, saying the measure would be a great mistake. It claimed that more than 500 olive trees had returned to health after being treated for fungi. Following the NGO’s urging, the Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on its proposal.
“There is no published evidence that fungal disease management will reduce establishment, spread and impact of X. fastidiosa, other than the observation that improved orchard management more generally is beneficial for plant health,” EFSA said in its opinion, in disagreement with Peacelink’s assessment.
“However, EFSA shares the concerns over the situation in olive trees in the affected areas, and fully understands the need for further research on potential options to reduce the risk and damage caused by X. fastidiosa.”
It is the remit of the European and national authorities – rather than EFSA – to decide on a control strategy, but EFSA highlighted gaps in knowledge about different agents thought to be involved in the olive quick decline syndrome, including the leopard moth Zeuzera pyrina, the tracheomycotic fungi, as well as Xylella fastidiosa and the insects that spread it.
Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterium thought to be behind the devastation of 74,000 acres of olive groves across southern Italy. The Commission had proposed emergency control measures to destroy olive trees in the affected area – 12% of which are thought to be contaminated.
No one from Peacelink responded to a request for comment on EFSA’s opinion prior to publication.
