Update of the situation of Xylella fastidiosa in France
In France, Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A2 list) was first reported in 2015 in Corsica (EPPO RS 2015/144) and later in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (RS 2016/193, 2019/187) and Occitanie (RS 2020/197). The subspecies present was Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex. The subspecies pauca was identified 2016 in Menton (Alpes-Maritimes department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region): it was first identified in one outbreak on Polygala myrtifolia and eradicated, but found again in the same demarcated area in 2019 on a multi secular olive tree (Olea europaea) (RS 2019/187). Official surveillance is conducted and control measures according to EU Regulation 2020/1201 are applied. New host plants are regularly identified.
In Corsica, a containment strategy has been applied since December 2017. The bacterium was found on a large number of plant species, including native plants in the natural environment. As a result of the 2021 official survey, X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex was found for the first time on an olive tree (Olea europaea) in Haute-Corse.
In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, more than 24 000 plants were sampled since 2015 as part of the official surveillance. Eradication measures are applied, and the bacteria has a restricted distribution, with demarcated areas in 21 municipalities in Alpes-Maritimes, and 5 municipalities in the Var department.
In Occitanie region, after the first finding in 2020, official surveys were conducted and about 5 000 plant samples from more than 200 plant species were analysed. X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex was detected 76 infected areas in 17 municipalities in Aude department. In December 2021, X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex was first confirmed from the Gard department on a sample of Spartium junceum taken from a motorway service area as part of the official surveillance programme. Eradication measures are applied.
The pest status of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex in France is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication, under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
The pest status of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca in France is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
Cunty A, Legendre B, de Jerphanion P, Dousset C, Forveille A, Paillard S, Olivier V (2022) Update of the Xylella fastidiosa outbreak in France: two new variants detected and a new region affected. European Journal of Plant Pathology (early view). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-022-02492-z
EU (2020) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 of 14 August 2020 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2020/1201/oj
Maps of demarcated areas in France are available at: https://shiny-public.anses.fr/Xylella_fastidiosa/
NPPO of France (2021-12, 2022-02) https://agriculture.gouv.fr/xylella-fastidiosa-une-bacterie-mortelle-pour-300-especes-vegetales