Agriculture Minister Isaura Navarro updated the European Committee of the Regions on a pioneering research project led by the Valencian Agricultural Research Institute IVIA. The initiative aims to prevent and fight the Huanglongbing plague. Navarro stressed that the entire European Union must unite to combat the disease effectively; without Europe-wide participation, Valencia alone cannot win the battle to protect citrus production across the region.
In line with this message, Navarro highlighted the importance of voicing Valencian rural concerns to European institutions. The region has invested more than 30 million euros annually in pest research, and IVIA stands as an international benchmark for these efforts.
The project’s progress reflects ongoing support and funding for Valencia’s defense against HLB, with the goal of developing infection-tolerant plant material. Navarro described the findings as both a milestone in prevention and a practical achievement. Key advances include the introduction and breeding of a parasitoid, a comprehensive epidemiological study of HLB, and the development of rapid diagnostic kits.
Navarro called for a stronger commitment from Europe, underscoring the need for more robust agricultural science and research to foster safe, sustainable, and profitable farming practices.
Although HLB has not yet been detected in Europe, the minister warned that a single entry could devastate citrus crops, potentially reducing production by up to 60 percent. This risk underscores the urgency of the research and prevention activities conducted so far.
More Resources on Xylella
Concurrently, Navarro met at the European Commission headquarters with Bernard Van Goethem, the director general for Health and Food Safety, who called for additional resources to support replanting in areas affected by Xylella. The discussion centered on improving measures to handle phytosanitary challenges, a proposal well received by European representatives.
Asaja Alicante participated in the Bruiselas event to reaffirm the commitment of the Alicante and Valencia communities to the citrus sector. The group urged the European Union to adopt urgent measures to prevent the disease from reaching fields and to provide powerful tools to combat and eradicate it. They warned that failure to act could bring severe economic, social, and environmental consequences for the region.
Jose Vicente Andreu, president of Asaja Alicante and a lemon producer, explained the sector’s difficulties in fighting a bacterial disease in the fields and the potential consequences. The region has faced drastic actions such as uprooting thousands of almond trees and clearing large tracts of land to manage outbreaks, with ongoing impacts on hundreds of farmers.
The risk to Valencian citrus becomes more tangible with the detection of vectors like Tryoza erytreae in Spain and Israel, and the even more dangerous Diaphorina citri in parts of Africa. Asaja Alicante emphasizes the need to monitor these pests in Brussels and to act early to safeguard the citrus crop and farmers. The region relies on substantial labor, with thousands of full-time workers in the citrus sector and a production value exceeding several hundred million euros. A focus on lemon dominates production, followed by mandarin and orange.
The economic impact in Alicante includes a high output of lemons and other citrus varieties, while campaign dynamics show price fluctuations and profitability pressures driven by global markets and rising energy costs. The association also notes a decline in exports to key markets amid inflation and shifting consumer demand.
The campaign outlook raises concerns about consumer inflation in Europe, water security in major citrus regions, and the potential for higher production costs and pest pressures. Stakeholders stress the importance of proactive measures to protect crops and livelihoods across the Valencia and Alicante communities, ensuring a resilient citrus sector for the years ahead.