Agroaldea
In Italy, country where it originated the plague, already they cut one million olive trees.
A plague originated in Italy by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa 'overflowed to European authorities admit that can rapidly spread to southern European countries like Greece and Spain.
Italy have already been cutting down a million olive and created a perimeter “urgent” Security 240.000 hectares. But the EC considers that the 10% of the 11 million olive trees in the region are infected Lecce.
Brussels blames the setback to the Xylella fastidiosa bacteria and blames the “neglect” Italian extension pathogen, while local organizations say part of the problem is due to another curable disease.
However, from the European Commission itself admits that not even clearly understand that this is the only disease bacteria. Italy opposed that behind the plague may be another pathogen (the fungi) if you have a cure.
Xylella fastidiosa first appeared in Puglia, region of southern Italy, in October 2013. Precisely confirm the presence of this disease last year and half, Initially the Commission accused the Italian authorities of neglect. “Italy has not prevented the scope of the Xylella”, He said spokesman Commissioner Andriukatis, who soon will move to the area.
EU spokesman warned that the danger is real for Greece and Spain. “We can talk about a deteriorating situation. Clearly, there is a high risk of spreading to neighboring countries if urgent measures are not taken quickly”.
In Spain are counted more than 280 million olive trees, according to data from the Agency for Olive Oil. Producers say they “expectant” the threat.
From the Agrarian Association of Young Farmers (ASAJA), admit that “It is a lethal disease for olives”. Those responsible for the association in Jaén have found that “the consequences of Xylella are similar to those of verticilium, [the known dry olive]”.
"We are confident that the epidemiological alert systems established by the Junta de Andalucía and the Ministry are sufficient and that the plague will not spread by Spain and, a lot less, by Jaen that could be sunk if it were extended in the province ", They say from Asaja.
It seems that the conflict of interest lies in knowing exactly what the pathogen that kills Olives, since its discovery brings with it responsibilities.
Several Italian organizations have backed research centers and universities in the country to say that the plague is caused not only by this bacterium.
On the other hand, Brussels is based on a report published in January by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA, in English) and also on the results of an investigation conducted by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) in November 2014. For the EC if the Xylella has grassless pitch at home it has been for the failure to prevent regional or national authorities.
However, Peacelink the Italian organization sent a letter to the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Commissioner of Health, Vytenis Andriukaitis in questioning them: ” What would be the consequences for the European Commission if it is shown that the destruction of one million olive trees [to contain the plague] It was revealed not only unnecessary but useless?”.
for Peacelink, “Many factors have not been properly investigated”, as he stressed in the letter of two pages sent. “At this point, we can say that the Xylella is not the real cause of the drought of our olive trees. The European Commission is condemning to death the entire ecosystem of Puglia on the basis of tests that have not proven pathology outbreak”.
Given the persistent doubts about the etiology of the problem, EU spokesman Enrico Brivio settled: “We are sure that some outbreaks were caused by this bacterium”.
Spain remains on high alert, as the first producer of olive oil in the world could disappear from the bacteria spread by the peninsular olive grove.
from the Canary Islands, Some producers have also expressed concerns. For decades, Canary has become a haven for pests, so we suspect that it could also prove, declare from an association of producers.
Today, are the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, those who have been betting heavily on the olive tree, obtaining excellent quality productions that could endanger.