Question ( faussement naïve) d’un parlementaire européen
mercredi 1er octobre 2014 -
Il n’a pas tort le député italien Giovanni La Via de demander quelques comptes considérant les montants investis par l’Europe. Alors que nous sommes à quelques semaines du débriefing final de Las Palmas du projet Palm Protect, sachant que le programme s’arrête, que selon nos informations il n’a pas de suite prévue et que nous avons deux infestations sur les bras !
On est donc un peu partagé entre fébrilité et inquiétude....
Parliamentary questions
11 September 2014
E-006837-14
Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 130
Giovanni La Via (PPE)
Subject : Red palm weevil
The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), of Asian origin, was introduced to the Mediterranean area in the early 1990s. It was reported in Spain in 1993 and, after nearly a decade, was then found in Italy, Turkey and Greece, where it has become established (especially adult males) mainly on Phoenix canariensis plants.
In some Italian regions, such as Sicily, the insects have also attacked young, adult plants of P. dactylifera, Washingtonia sp., Chamaerops humilis, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Jubaea chilensis and Livistona chinensis, depriving towns and cities of plants which, in terms of their natural beauty, are highly appreciated.
Given the large sums paid out in recent years for scientific research in order to combat this insect, can the Commission answer the following questions :
— What are the latest developments in the fight against the red palm weevil in the Europeancountries affected ?
— Has the research produced any results that are worth disclosing ?
— What strategies does it intend to adopt in order to curb the ever-increasing loss ofornamental palms that are of great natural beauty and significant economic value ?
