MEPs call for the creation of task force to combat pests

Members of European Parliament are proposing the creation of an EU plant health emergency team to help EU or third countries to prevent the emergence of pathogens as part of the revision of plant health legislation voted through the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament on Tuesday (13 February).

The EU has updated its plant health legislation many times since the 2000s, and on 17 October 2023, the Commission tabled a proposal to simplify rules and make them more effective. Lawmakers approved their position on the law.

“Spain accounts for 55% of the world’s olive oil production. My region, Andalusia, is home to 80% of Spanish production […] Spanish olive growers are currently battling various diseases, the biggest threats to olive trees being Xylella fastidiosa and Verticillium wilt”, warned Clara Aguilera MEP (S&D, ES) in 2022, who is the rapporteur for the text approved in committee.

The EU drew up a list of the most dangerous organisms, especially those that do not live in EU territory, the so-called “EU quarantine organisms”, including Xylella fastidiosa, the Japanese beetle, the Asian long-horned beetle, the citrus greening bacterium and citrus black spot disease.

These harmful organisms, which are becoming increasingly widespread due to global trade and climate change, have significant social, environmental and economic consequences.

Over the last ten years, the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium has seriously damaged the agricultural sector and landscapes in some areas of southern Europe (Italy, France, Portugal and Spain), particularly olive oil production.

According to Joint Research Center (JRC) estimates, Xylella fastidiosa full spread could ultimately cost the EU over €5.5 billion per year due to loss of production, with potential export losses of €0.7 billion per year.

EU plant health emergency team

In July 2022, the spread of a South African pest, the false codling moth, prompted the EU to impose South African farmers a cold treatment for all oranges destined for Europe. South Africa lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

After a call for action from farmers’ organisations and MEPs, the Commission proposed to revise the Plant Health Regulation.

Creating an EU phytosanitary emergency team is among the amendments of the MEPs. This team, made up of experts appointed by the Commission and nominated by the member states, would help countries in the EU or neighbouring third countries to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms.

MEPs said that the task force could involve “scientific, technical and administrative assistance on the ground or at a distance” to eradicate harmful organisms.

Support could relate to “appropriate diagnostic methods” or promote “coordination between the competent authorities of the Member States and third countries”.

Rapid detection of dangerous organisms

MEPs backed the European Commission’s call for multiannual risk survey programmes to be implemented to rapidly detect dangerous harmful organisms.

They also believe that the regulation should “strengthen” the provisions on regulated non-quarantine organisms (RNQOs), i.e. organisms already present in EU territory and requiring strict control. They will have to be included in the phytosanitary certificate.

The text approved by the Agriculture Committee will now be submitted to the plenary session of the European Parliament from 26 to 29 February and then to the Council.

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[Edited by Angelo Di Mambro/ Alice Taylor]

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