Description
With the entry into force of the new phytosanitary regime (Reg. (EU) 2019/2072), the phytoplasma Ca. P. mali, the causal agent of apple blight, has been downgraded to a regulated non-quarantine pathogen, which is why official surveillance of its presence is only carried out at a national level in nurseries.
However, the provincial monitoring carried out annually shows that in the last five years the presence of phytoplasmosis in Trentino has been increasing and has a greater incidence in situations where control strategies against vector insects are not correctly applied, in aged orchards, in organically managed apple orchards and in abandoned (fallow) orchards.
Considering the economic role of apple cultivation at provincial level, it is essential to take targeted actions to minimise the risk of spreading the disease. Such actions include:
- the timely eradication of symptomatic plants,
- the control of the vector,
- the widespread dissemination of information and training of fruit growers,
- research activities, experimentation, territorial surveys,
- verification of the correct application of the guidelines provided.
Accordingly, a new provincial anti-bug plague plan has been adopted (Resolution No 1442 of 26/9/2025), replacing the previous one, which seeks to make fruit growers more responsible and to apply a more systemic approach.
The main changes introduced by the new Resolution are as follows
SELF-MONITORING OBLIGATION. Holders in any capacity of land on which apple trees are present, jointly and severally with the owners or holders of other rights in rem of enjoyment, are primarily responsible for the management of the pest and carry out, on their own initiative, the activities necessary for the containment of the disease, i.e. the identification of symptomatic plants, the timely uprooting of any symptomatic plants (including the removal of shoots and/or removal/devitalization of root systems); the carrying out of phytosanitary treatments against vectors. Every self-monitoring operation, including grubbing-up, must be recorded by professional fruit growers in the treatment logbook (cs. quaderno di campagna);
IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS TO BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL OFFICIAL CONTROL. The areas under apple trees to be subject to official control by the SFP are identified to include
- the fruit-growing areas of holders associated with AOP/OP who do not carry out the controls;
- the fruit-growing areas of holders not associated with a PDO/PDO;
- fruit-growing areas that are abandoned or uncultivated or fruit-growing areas that are not included in the holding's files;
- fruit-growing areas that checks on the treatment records have shown to be non-compliant with vector control.
TOTAL GRUBBING-UP OF APPLE ORCHARD AREAS. In view of the pest risk, also with reference to geographically limited situations, the SFP may extend the grubbing-up obligation to the entire symptomatic production unit. However, regardless of the percentage of symptomatic plants, total grubbing-up must be carried out in the presence of
- abandoned or uncultivated symptomatic orchard (regardless of age);
- symptomatic orchard with a percentage of symptomatic plants of 20 % or more.
DEFERMENT OF GRUBBING-UP DEADLINES. If the sum of the areas affected by total grubbing-up measures is more than 30 % of the total area of the holding under apple trees, following a request by the interested party to be submitted before the expiry of the deadlines assigned or set for grubbing-up as described above, the SFP may assess and exceptionally grant an extension of the time limit for carrying out the total grubbing-up in accordance with a plan agreed with the applicant.
NOTIFICATION OF THE EXECUTION OF THE PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES ORDERED BY THE SFP. Failure to transmit to the SFP the communication of the execution of the grubbing up within the terms assigned in the warning is equated, for the purposes of this Plan, with failure to execute the phytosanitary measure ordered and entails the application to the defaulters of the same sanction as those who have not grubbed up.
INFORMATION CAMPAIGN. Raising awareness is crucial to reducing the incidence of the plant disease and, with this in mind, the SFP, with the collaboration of the Mach Foundation, will take steps to ensure that all those involved recognise the symptoms and implement self-control. In order to do this, a widespread information campaign will be launched throughout the territory, involving all citizens. To this end, a dedicated information leaflet is attached to this communication, and you are requested to distribute it as widely as possible.
Please note that, in addition to the application of the pecuniary sanction, the SFP may order, at the expense of the addressees of the warning, thecompulsory execution of thegrubbing-up, charging the relevant expenses to the offender (Article 55 bis, paragraph 6 bis of Provincial Law no. 4/2003).
Lastly, holders and owners who are the recipients of sanctioning measures referring to phytosanitary measures are suspended from receiving any form of agricultural and rural development aid until the phytosanitary measure violated has been implemented (Article 55 bis - paragraph 6 ter of Provincial Law no. 4/2003).
In the actions envisaged in the new Provincial Plan against apple bark beetle, in addition to the Provincial Plant Health Service and the E. Mach Foundation. Mach, all the main stakeholders are involved, who undertake to act in a coordinated manner, with a systemic approach.
REFERENCE REGULATIONS: Resolution no. 1442 of 26 September 2025