The EC will apply to the Court of Justice if Italy is not more forceful against the Xylella

The European Commission has called on Italy to take stronger and more effective measures to stop the spread of Xylella fastidiosa. Otherwise, it is proposed to take the transalpine country to the EU Court of Justice, according to an opinion issued after the report of the visit last November of community inspectors to the Puglia region, affected by new outbreaks , and to which the UNIÓ of Llauradors i Ramaders has had access.

Italy and the EU are embroiled in the Xylella affair in a continuing judicial war by questioning the community authorities about the eradication actions carried out by the Italians

The auditors of the General Directorate for Health and Food Safety question the lack of agility of Italian officials in eliminating some trees with positive results, a fact which, in their view, has paved the way for the spread of the pathogen. This slowness is attributed mainly to the lack of a sufficient budgetary framework, which is evidenced by the theory put forward by LA UNIÓ that it is a matter for all Administrations (EU, Government of Spain and Autonomous Communities ) And which requires adequate compensation to ensure its effectiveness.

Faced with this situation, and which can be originated in the Balearics – where there are more than 300 cases confirmed with Xylella -, LA UNIÓ considers that in the Valencian Community “can not be questioned now for landscape or tourism issues eradication plans carried out and those that can be carried out to the extent that new positive outbreaks are confirmed because we may regret in the future, as has happened in Italy, where there is evidence of the lack of coordination between the demands of the European Union, the Italian Government and the Affected. A quick and early action may be the best tool before the Xylella”.

This Professional Agricultural Organization points out that the Xylella problem is serious and as such “must be faced, albeit without alarmism, with the union of all the agents involved; At the same time that it trusts that it is not taken advantage of politically because it is a matter of State much above electoral interests”.

The European Commission has just sent a reasoned opinion to Italy on the grounds that its authorities are not stopping the spread of Xylella fastidiosa

Following an outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa in the Apulia region, Italy had to comply fully with EU regulations on organisms harmful to plants and against their spread within the European Union. This involved the removal of all infected plants from their territory immediately after confirmation of the presence of the bacteria. However, new outbreaks were reported in Italy and the timetable notified by the Italian authorities was not effective in ensuring the immediate removal of infected trees as required by EU legislation.

The Commission has already sent Italy a letter of formal notice in 2015, followed by a reasoned opinion. A supplementary letter was sent in July 2016.

After the new reasoned opinion now, Italy has two months to fulfill its obligations. Otherwise, the Commission could bring that State before the Court of Justice of the European Union

Source: LA UNIÓ

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