Il regime delle emergenze fitosanitarie e il caso Xilella Fastidiosa

In Puglia, since 2013, the counteraction of the bacterium Xilella Fastidiosa is underway. In this region the bacterium is causing the desiccation of the olive trees and it is endangering the survival of the landscape. According to the Ippc and Eppo guidelines, Xilella Fastidiosa is a quarantine pathogen, against which eradication measures must be taken or containment actions if the pathogen cannot be eliminated. In the Apulian territory the infected olive trees and the so-called “host plants” of the bacterium, which include many varieties of the Mediterranean flora, have been cut, and the quarantine areas are cyclically subjected to phytosanitary treatments in order to contain the bacterium’s insect “vectors”. Also, since 2013, it has been enforced a ban on replanting new varieties and strict restrictions on the trade of vegetables grown in the areas affected by the bacterium. Despite everything, the infection never seemed to slow down, neither the restrictions imposed by the emergency.