The EU-funded project BeXyl – Beyond Xylella presented its latest findings at the 5th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa, held in Bari and primarily organised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Launched in September 2022, BeXyl – Beyond Xylella has brought together more than 30 partners from research institutions, industry, and public authorities across Europe to deepen scientific understanding of Xylella fastidiosa outbreaks and develop innovative solutions for prevention, detection, monitoring, and management of the pathogen.
Building on previous EU research projects, BeXyl has fostered an unprecedented collaboration among farmers, nurseries, private-sector stakeholders, scientists, and conservation organisations worldwide.
Thanks to this endeavour, the project has turned fragmented knowledge into a robust, science-based framework for tackling one of Europe’s most significant plant health threats.
The results presented in Bari highlight important advances in understanding the pathogen’s spread, improving surveillance strategies, and supporting evidence-based decision-making to better protect European agriculture, landscapes, and biodiversity from future outbreaks.
“While the threat posed by Xylella fastidiosa remains a significant challenge for Europe, BeXyl has shown how scientific excellence, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration can deliver the knowledge and practical tools needed to strengthen preparedness and response,” said the project coordinator, Blanca B. Landa.
“Beyond its scientific achievements, the project’s lasting legacy lies in the partnerships, networks, and solutions it has established, which will continue to support plant health, resilient agricultural systems, and sustainable crop production across Europe in the years ahead,” she added.
For an overview of the results, check the annex to this press release.
The 5th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa: science for sustainable management, took place in Bari from 22 to 26 June. It was organised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), BeXyl, Euphresco III, CIHEAM Bari, IPSP-CNR, and the Apulia Region.
For more information: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/5th-european-conference-xylella-fastidiosa-science-sustainable-management
Xylella fastidiosa is a major plant pathogen worldwide, capable of colonising more than 700 plant species. It causes diseases that result in agricultural and environmental losses totalling millions of dollars in the United States and Brazil. In October 2013, the bacterium was detected for the first time in the EU, on olive trees in the Apulia region of southern Italy. Since then, outbreaks have also been reported in France, Spain and Portugal.
Further information is available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/xylella-fastidiosa
Fonte: BeXyl – Beyond Xylella
