«Xylella in Taurianova, action is being taken without wasting time: the eradication of the first infected plants has begun». The Calabrian regional councilor for Agriculture Gianluca Gallo wrote it on social media. «We are carrying out – explains Gallo in a video on Facebook – an operation that we would never have wanted to do: the eradication of the olive trees and other vector plants of Xylella in the infected area of Taurianova. These operations are necessary to eliminate diseased plants and those located within 80 meters of the last outbreak, then proceeding with the burning of foliage and trunks. It is a decisive intervention, strongly desired by President Occhiuto and the Agriculture Department, coordinated with Crea and Arsac. We thank Calabria Verde, the forestry carabinieri and the Municipality of Taurianova, which understood the need to intervene firmly to stop the epidemic, for their help.”
«We guarantee the owners – concludes Gallo – that we will proceed with the replanting as soon as it is technically possible. Finally, let’s reassure everyone about oil and olives: Xylella does not affect the quality of our oil in the slightest, which remains excellent.”