Almond trees to be uprooted
Sixth outbreak of Xylella Fastidiosa spreads further and even reaches areas of Calpe
One in every four trees in the northern Costa to be destroyed
ONE IN every four almond trees in the northern Alicante province will have to be uprooted and destroyed due to the Xylella Fastidiosa bateria.
The regional government plans to eradicate the bateria, which includes the uprooting of 35,000 trees from Calpe to Denia´ and inland, reaching the Guadalest valley and L'Alcoia areas.
The trees will have to be grinded to prevent the bacteria spreading.
The decimation of the almond trees will reduce this year's harvest by 140 tons, with farmers estimating losses at over €1 million.
The bacteria is showing a gloomy forecast as yet another outbreak of Xylella Fastidiosa has been recorded. This time it has spread further and includes a coastal plot of land in Calpe.
According to the ministry of agriculture, a total of 31 plots in the Marina Alta have been infected in the new outbreak. The most affected area, which has already suffered the effects of the bacteria, is Benissa, with 10 plots, while Jalón has nine, Alcalalí, Llíber and Parcent have two each, and Gata, Senija, Vall d'Alcalà and Benigembla have one each.
According to the ministry, Alcalalí, Benigembla, Gata, Llíber, Murla, Parcent, Senija and Jalón are listed as ‘fully affected’ areas. Partially affected towns are Beniarbeig, Benidoleig, Benimeli, Benissa, Calpe, Castells, Dénia, Benitachell, Vall d'Alcalà, Vall de Gallinera, Vall de Laguar, Vall d'Ebo, Orba, Pedreguer, Sagra , Sanet y Negrals, Teulada, Tormos and Jávea.
Almond trees in Guadalest valley are also affected, plus La Nucía, Polop, Callosa d'Ensarriá and Tárbena in the Marina Baixa.
In addition, the ministry has published a new package of phytosanitary measures of eradication and control to try to stop the bacteria. They will now begin to destroy all infected trees in situ, and any suspicious looking trees within 100 metres of any of those infected ones. This will occur within the next 15 days.
Also, any owners of abandoned plots are now required to uproot and destroy in situ their almond trees, because this constitutes a risk for any neighbouring plantations. Surveillance will be carried out by visual means, with the aim of detecting possible symptoms of the disease, and in any suspected cases, samples will be analysed.
Last week, the Valencian government declared that compensation for those affected has now begun, and up to €28 per tree affected will be paid.
The figure, which in itself has provoked criticism, will be reduced in the case of young or weak trees. Owners of plots will receive a maximum of €2,500.
Regional agriculature department officials are allowed onto private and fenced plots to test for the bacteria, and property owners will be notified by letter if any infected trees are found.