Director-General visits Italian olive tree plantation affected by transboundary plant pests and diseases

Brindisi, Italy – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu called for international cooperation in the fight against transboundary plant pests and diseases (TPPDs) as he visited an olive tree plantation in southern Italy affected by Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS).

“Transboundary plant pests and diseases are challenges that no single country can address alone. Coordinated efforts across countries in the region—particularly in vector control, combating invasive species, and implementing essential quarantine measures—are urgently needed,” Qu said during a field visit in the region of Apulia, which is famous for its centuries-old olive groves.

Many of the area’s plantations have for years been affected by Xyllela Fastidiosa, a harmful bacterium that has caused significant ecological and economic damage. This bacterium infects the xylem vessels of plants, obstructing the flow of water and nutrients. In olive trees, it leads to symptoms such as leaf scorch, wilting, and dieback, collectively known as Olive Quick Decline Syndrome. The primary vectors are xylem-feeding insects like the meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), which can spread the disease rapidly over short distances.

The crisis has resulted in the loss of around 33,000 jobs and the closure of around 400 olive mills over the past five years, severely affecting Apulia’s olive oil production—which represents a significant share of Italy’s national output.

The Director-General was accompanied on his trip by leading scientists from the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), a Mediterranean intergovernmental organization that, together with FAO and the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO), has developed a comprehensive Regional Strategy to address all concerns related to the TPPDs.

A day earlier, the Director-General had attended a conference on TPPDs in Bari hosted by CIHEAM.

“Effective data collection is the first step toward adopting science-based, data-driven solutions to curb the spread of pathogens,” Qu said. “The CIHEAM conference sets a strong example by providing an enabling platform for all stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue.”

Across the NENA region, losses due to TPPDs are estimated at 2.3 million tons of crops with a value of USD 1.3 billion.