Xylella

(asked on 7th March 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with the horticulture industry to contain the spread of xylella fastidiosa.


Answered by
Thérèse Coffey Portrait
Thérèse Coffey
This question was answered on 16th March 2018

Xylella fastidiosa is not present in the UK and we have been proactive in engaging with the horticultural industry about the risks from this disease. We appreciate that it has a crucial role to play in minimising the risk of its introduction. In September 2017 the Chief Plant Health Officer wrote to businesses growing and trading host plants to encourage good biosecurity and careful sourcing of plants. Biosecurity guidance has also been developed, with bespoke guidance produced for industry.

We have published information about Xylella on the Plant Health Portal and provide frequent updates to industry groups and individual businesses. We have, in association with the Horticultural Trades Association and the National Farmers Union, developed guidance on Xylella host plants to encourage good practice when sourcing plants. The industry has responded positively to this engagement, and we have noted that many retailers and nurseries are changing their buying behaviours to go above and beyond the minimum requirements. Stakeholder groups have also developed their own initiatives, including through the Horticultural Trades Association and Royal Horticultural Society, to ensure that best practice approaches are adopted by their members and at their events.

Xylella is present in some other EU Member States, and we are have strongly pressed for the EU to strengthen measures to prevent further spread of the disease. Restrictions on the import and movement of high risk host plants were increased through new EU emergency legislation, which took effect in December. The UK pushed hard for this legislation to be put in place, including Defra’s Secretary of State writing to the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytensis Andriukaitis to urge stronger action.

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