Update on the situation of Cryphonectria parasitica in Belgium
In Belgium, the presence of Cryphonectria parasitica (EPPO A2 List) was confirmed by laboratory analysis in January 2015 on chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) in Wemmel and Jette, located in Flemish Brabant province and Brussels-capital region, respectively (see EPPO RS 2015/033). Numerous road trees (59 of 120) were infested and local authorities decided to fell and incinerate all the trees of this alignment to avoid the dispersal of fungal spores. Following this discovery, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) carried out a specific survey to verify the possible presence of other outbreaks and launched an information campaign. As a result of this survey, 3 new outbreaks were discovered in the provinces of East Flanders and West Flanders. All these findings concerned mature trees in public sites: 4 infested trees were found along a canal in Zwevegem (West Flanders); 75 infected trees planted in a line were found in Maldegem (East Flanders); 3 infested trees were found in public green in Wichelen (East Flanders). Following the detection of the first outbreak, official measures had been taken. However, as 3 new outbreaks have been found at different locations, specific survey and eradication actions will focus on the immediate vicinity of nurseries producing plants of Castanea and Quercus in order to ensure the production of healthy plants for planting
The pest status of Cryphonectria parasitica in Belgium is officially declared as: Present: only in some parts of the Member State concerned (confirmed in Brussels region, Flemish Brabant, West and East Flanders).
Sources
NPPO of Belgium (2016-03).