New outbreak of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Spain
In Spain, the presence of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (EPPO A1 List) was detected in two instances in a small number of trees (1 Pinus sp. tree near Cáceres in Extremadura in 2008 and 7 P.;pinaster trees in the province of Pontevedra in Galicia in 2010) and in both cases, eradication measures were taken (EPPO RS 2010/051, 2010/202). In January 2012, a declining P. pinaster tree was noticed by technicians in a forest of the ‘Monte Barroco Toiriña’ (province of Cáceres in Extremadura), very close to the Portuguese border (approx. 600 m). At the beginning of February, the presence of B. xylophilus was confirmed in the declining tree (morphology, molecular test). The origin of the infestation is not known, and it is noted that the infested tree is located in an area where there is no timber industry and there are no wood packaging factories (within a radius of 20 km). In accordance with the EU Commission Decision 2006/133/EC of 2006-02-13, phytosanitary measures have been taken to eradicate the pest. An intensive survey has been initiated to delimit the extent of the infested area and establish the demarcated zones.
The pest status of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Spain is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2012-02).
Commission Decision 2006/133/EC of 13 February 2006 requiring Member States temporarily to take additional measures against the dissemination of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle et al. (the pine wood nematode) as regards areas in Portugal, other than those in which it is known not to occur. http://www.eppo.int/ABOUT_EPPO/EPPO_MEMBERS/phytoreg/eu_texts/2006-133-EC-e.pdf