Situation of fireblight in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Erwinia amylovora (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was found for the first time in 1989 (EPPO RS 500/09), in regions along the Rhine. These foci were successfully eradicated. The situation changed in 1994, when a fireblight outbreak was found in a larger region situated South of the town of Baden, 15 km West of Zürich (EPPO RS 94/194). This outbreak could not be fully contained, and in 1995 fireblight appeared in the Eastern part of the country, and was found in six new regions. Contaminated communes are situated in the following cantons: Argau, Luzern, Zug, Schwyz, Zürich, Schaffhausen, Saint-Gallen and Appenzell. An eradication campaign was immediately set up. The paper by Schaub describes this situation and also emphasizes the role of bees in transmitting the disease and the need for restrictions on their movement.
The Plant Protection Service of Switzerland has informed the EPPO Secretariat of the 1996 situation. All foci detected in 1995 have been submitted to an eradication campaign. All plants showing symptoms and plants apparently healthy in the surroundings have been destroyed. When commercial trees were found infected, the entire orchard was destroyed. In 1996, the situation appears rather satisfactory, as infected plants had already been destroyed and weather conditions did not seem favourable to flower infections. Only one small focus (a few pear trees) has been found near Luzern. All regions concerned are still placed under very strict monitoring.
Sources
Schaub, L. (1996) Transmission du feu bactérien par les abeilles.
Revue Suisse de Viticulture, Arboriculture, Horticulture, 28(3), p 213.
Plant Protection Service of Switzerland, 1996-07.