Government mandates the destruction of orchards with plants infected by fire blight.

The government has ordered the destruction of orchards where more than 50% of the plants show symptoms of the bacteria that causes fire blight, a disease that affects, among others, apple, quince and pear trees, as well as some ornamental species.

According to a decree published this Thursday in the Official Gazette, the Government has ordered the "immediate uprooting and destruction, by burning or burying, of the entire orchard area where more than 50% of the plants show visible symptoms and at least one-third of the canopy is affected, including the trunks."

Furthermore, the equipment used in sanitary pruning must be disinfected after each operation. Sanitary pruning consists of removing parts of plants that are diseased or damaged by pests or diseases, in order to prevent their spread.

The ordinance also prohibits the transport, outside the contaminated zone, of plants or parts of host plants, unless express authorization exists. However, the planting or replanting of new orchards is permitted.

However, in bordering areas, it is necessary to plant vegetables or crops that are not hosts to the bacterium 'Erwinia amylovora', which causes fire blight. This requirement is waived "in cases where the orchards are not bordered by orchards of vegetables that are hosts to the bacterium," he noted.

Planting plants that are hosts to the bacteria in public landscaped areas and in road dividers in contaminated zones is also prohibited.