A serious plant disease is threatening to spread in Denmark, warns the Danish AgriFish Agency (Landbrugsstyrelsen). The dangerous bacterium “Xylella Fastidiosa” has previously caused significant damage in several EU countries, and the risk of it reaching Denmark is now highly real. The bacterium works by blocking the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, ultimately killing the plant. The Italian region of Puglia has been particularly hard hit, with approximately 60 million olive trees destroyed since the bacterium was discovered in 2013.
To raise awareness and prevent the spread of this serious plant disease, the Danish AgriFish Agency will be present at Copenhagen Airport on August 6 and 8. They will distribute beach balls and suitcase straps as part of the campaign #PlantHealth4Life. This campaign, which is part of a broader EU initiative, aims to inform the public about the dangers and prevention methods related to plant diseases and harmful insects.
The agency emphasizes the risks of introducing plant pests through seeds, fruits, vegetables, or entire plants. If the bacterium establishes itself in Denmark, it could cause irreparable harm, they warn. Kristine Riskær, head of the Plant & Biosafety Unit, therefore recommends that travelers avoid bringing plants and seeds back from abroad, particularly from destinations outside the EU, as this can contribute to the spread of pests.
As Riskær points out, several countries have experienced catastrophic consequences following the introduction of quarantine pests. She highlights that the only effective way to stop the bacterium is through the destruction of infected plants.