We are worried about the health and environmental consequences of the outbreaks of Xylella fastidiosa in the Apulia region. The European Commission implementing decision to prevent the spread of Xylella imposes the use of pesticide treatment in the areas where Xylella is diagnosed. It has been long proven that exposure of human beings to pesticides increases the probability to develop cancers or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease. Therefore, we urge European and local authorities to limit the use of pesticides and prefer biopesticides or low-toxicity pesticides. Before the scarcity of knowledge on Xylella fastidiosa's mode of transmission and considering EFSA's report on the pest, we fear that a large scale use of pesticides will have a limited influence on the spread of the pest but disastrous consequences on human health and the environment. Therefore, we invite the Italian authorities and the European Commission to promote the development of more resilient modes of agricultural productions based on crop diversification, soil health and low-input farming in order to better cope with pests that regularly enter European agroecosystems and benefit from our monocultural practices to invade the Union.
Taken into account the above General considerations and whereas in many parts of the implementing decision there are references to compulsory phytosanitary treatments, also prior to the removal of plants; whereas the “Eco-sustainable norms for crop protection” of the Apulia Region with regard to the organic farms specify, in the common management practices, clause 5 – products authorised in organic farming, that: “All active substances specified in Reg. CE 834/07 e 889/08 and s. a. and a. can be utilised, provided that they are regularly registered in Italy, except with regard to formulations classified as T and T +, which can be authorised only if specifically indicated in the crop technical norms”;