Cryphonectria parasitica occurs in Belgium
The NPPO of Belgium recently informed the EPPO Secretariat that the presence of Cryphonectria parasitica (EPPO A2 List) on its territory has been confirmed by laboratory testing. In spring 2014, symptoms of the disease were observed by a forestry consulting company on 3 chestnut trees (Castanea sativa cv. ‘Marron de Lyon’). These trees had been planted in the 2000s along a roadside (comprising in total 120 trees over 900 m) in the communes of Wemmel (Flemish region) and Jette (Brussels-Capital Region). The responsible authorities of the Brussels-Capital Region reported their suspicion of the disease to the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) on 2014-12-11. Trees were sampled by FASFC on 2014-12-16 and the identity of the fungus was confirmed after laboratory analysis by the National Reference laboratory CRA-W on 2015-01-08. Inspection carried out by FASFC on 2014-12-16 revealed that 59 of the 120 trees showed symptoms of the disease. Discussions about the official measures to be applied are still ongoing. Reinforced surveillance of the country and in particular within the 5 and 40 km radius zones surrounding the outbreak site will be implemented.
The pest status of Cryphonectria parasitica in Belgium is officially declared as: Present, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Belgium (2015-02).