British nurseries, retailers and landscapers have declared not purchasing host plants anymore from European regions where Xylella has been found.
Recently the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) published a list of nurseries, independent garden centers, garden center chains and landscape companies. They all have decided not to import anymore from regions infected by Xylella fastidiosa. Almost 50 companies are now on the list; the HTA also calls for other companies to join.
With ’regions’ the HTA doesn’t mean whole countries, but specific areas werhe Xylella has been found and is marked by the EU, says HTA communications manager Gill Ormrod.
The British took the decision after studying the impact: what if Xylella is found in their country. According to the HTA, the import stop follows ’good practice recommendations’ from British Ministry DEFRA.
Systematic protection
At the HTA National Plant Show in June, the HTA already announced setting up a system against import threats like Xylella. „Know the source of everything and sit on top of it,” adviced director Raoul Curtis-Machin all Britisch ornamental companies strongly.
Following EU emergency measures: when there’s an outbreak of Xylella within the EU, there will be a 10 km restriction zone and movement ban for host plants for 5 years.
