Motion for a resolution - B8-0451/2015Motion for a resolution
B8-0451/2015

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa affecting olive trees

13.5.2015 - (2015/2652(RSP))

further to Question for Oral Answer B8-0117/2015
pursuant to Rule 128(5) of the Rules of Procedure

Bas Belder, James Nicholson on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0451/2015

Procedure : 2015/2652(RSP)
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B8-0451/2015
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B8-0451/2015
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B8-0451/2015

European Parliament resolution on the outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa affecting olive trees

(2015/2652(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–       having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community[1],

–       having regard to the Commission Implementing Decision of 2015 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.),

–       having regard to Commission Implementing Decision 2014/910/EU of 12 December 2014 on a Union financial contribution for 2014 to cover expenditure incurred by Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria for the purposes of combating organisms harmful to plants or plant products[2],

–       having regard to Commission Implementing Decision 2014/497/EU of 23 July 2014 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Well and Raju)[3],

–       having regard to Commission Implementing Decision 2014/87/EU of 13 February 2014 as regards measures to prevent the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Well and Raju)[4],

–       having regard to scientific advice given by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 17 April, 20 March and 6 January 2015 and on 22 November 2013,

–       having regard to the reports by the Food and Veterinary Office of audits carried out in November 2014 and in February 2014,

–       having regard to the question to the Commission on the outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa affecting olive trees (O-000038/2015 – B8-0117/2015),

–       having regard to Rules 128(5) and 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.     whereas the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is infecting olive trees in the Apulia region in Italy; whereas the olive trees and their produce have a high economic, societal and cultural value for the Apulia region;

B.     whereas the presence of the specified organism was first notified by the Italian authorities to the Commission and other Member States on 21 October 2013;

C.     whereas the Food and Veterinary Office reported a rapid spread of the disease and limited implementation of eradication measures in 2014; whereas the disease has spread from tens of thousands of infected trees in Italy in 2013 to more than one million infected trees in Italy in 2015;

D.     whereas the EFSA states in its scientific opinion that the current distribution of Xylella fastidiosa in the EU is restricted to one strain;

E.     whereas the Xylella fastidiosa strain infecting olive trees in the Apulia region is different from the strain causing disease in grapevine or citrus in other parts of the world;

F.     whereas the Commission implementing decisions include strict targeted controls on certain plant imports, which is in line with the risk-based approach of the Union’s legislative framework;

1.      Calls on the Commission to halt the spread of Xylella fastidiosa in olive trees in the Apulia region through the effective implementation of targeted measures to avoid further damage; stresses the need to continue research, in particular on the epidemiology of Xylella fastidiosa and on further measures to control the disease;

2.      Stresses that on 28 April 2015 Member State experts in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed approved renewed measures proposed by the Commission to prevent the entry and spread of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa within the Union;

3.      Urges the Commission to ensure that demarcated areas are established and eradication and containment measures are applied without any further delay, in line with its implementing decisions;

4.      Stresses that the Union’s legislative framework already provides for additional targeted controls on imported plants in the event of an increased risk, and asks the Commission to continue to ensure a risk-based approach with regard to imports which respects the Union’s legislative framework;

5.      Asks the Commission to take immediate action in the event of non-compliance with the measures in order to prevent the entry and spread of Xylella fastidiosa within the Union;

6.      Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.