European Union emergency measures against Diabrotica virgifera
As a result of the recent outbreaks of Diabrotica virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae – EPPO A2 list) on the territory of the European Union, a Commission Decision (2003/766/EC) on emergency measures to prevent the spread within the Community of D. virgifera was published on 2003-10-25.
* It states that official surveys for the presence of D. virgifera should be made by all EU Member States and results notified to the Commission and other Member States.
* When outbreaks are discovered in new areas, countries should delimit the following zones:
- a quarantine area (1 km radius) around the field where the pest was found
- a buffer zone (5 km radius) around the quarantine area.
In addition, countries can delimit a broader buffer zone around the zones described above.
* Within all delimited zones, trapping programmes should be set up.
* In the quarantine area:
- it is prohibited to move fresh maize and soil outside this zone
- restrictions are made on harvest dates
- rotation is imposed (maize is grown only 1 in 3 consecutive years, and not grown for 2 years after first discovery)
- appropriate treatments are made
- agricultural machinery used in maize fields must be disinfected before leaving this zone
- maize volunteer plants must be removed
* In the buffer zone:
- maize must be rotated with another crop
- appropriate treatments are made
* In the broader buffer zone:
- maize must be rotated with another crop.
Sources
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Commission Decision (2003/766/EC) of 24th October 2003 on emergency measures to prevent the spread within the Community of Diabrotica virgifera Le Conte.
Official Journal of the European Union, L 275, 49-50.
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