The Xylella fastidiosa continues to spread in the fields of the Balearic Islands. Since the first detection in October 2016 in three cherry trees of a nursery in Porto Cristo, the Department of Agriculture has already reported more than 900 infected plants and trees.

In order to promote the enforcement of measures to hold the dreaded pest back, the Consell de Govern approved a decree on Friday declaring the fight against the bacteria a matter of public interest, specifying the mandatory phytosanitary measures that must be adopted by any agricultural producers, nurseries or citizens with infected plants. "We have unified the measures published in regional, state and European regulations under a single decree," says Andreu Joan, head of the Councils Department of Agriculture.

The decree prohibits the export and import of plants susceptible to being hosts of the Xylella within the territory of the Balearic Islands. The export and import of plant material to the Peninsula and Europe were already banned more than a year, although Mallorca and Menorca were allowed to export plants and trees to Ibiza. From now on, this will be prohibited.

Joan acknowledged that the Xylella pest is currently widespread, especially in rainfed almond fields. Almond trees are the most affected.