Tenerife is tightening controls on the transportation of grapes due to phylloxera.
In Tenerife, the police and Seprona will monitor the transportation of grapes to combat phylloxera, while local authorities are being criticized for their insufficient response to the problem.
The local police, together with Seprona (a unit of the Civil Guard that deals with nature protection), will monitor the transportation of grapes between different plots. This is necessary to control phylloxera, a grape pest. This was announced by the mayor of Los Realejos, Adolfo González, after a meeting at the town hall.
The town hall explained that the meeting was organized to discuss the problems associated with phylloxera in the vineyards of Tenerife. The meeting, led by the mayor of Los Realejos, was attended by about fifty winegrowers and winemakers from the city. Also present were the Councilor for Rural Development of Los Realejos, Alexis Hernández, and an employee of this department, Tesi Hernández, the secretary and an employee of the Regulatory Council of Valle de la Orotava, Valerio García and Marian Fernández, as well as a representative of the local council of Tenerife for agriculture in the La Orotava Valley, Lorenzo Rodríguez.
During the meeting, people asked about phylloxera, its dangers, and how to combat it. They were informed about the rules and measures that need to be taken to stop the spread of the pest. These measures are outlined in a special order issued on August 20 by the Ministry of Agriculture, together with the local authorities of Tenerife.
Last week, Los Realejos and La Orotava already held a meeting with the regional regulatory council. "We are working closely with them," the town hall noted. The guide issued by the DO Valle de La Orotava council reminded that if you find phylloxera, you must first report it to the La Orotava agricultural department (phone number 922328009) and then to the plant protection service, Adolfo González said.
Alexis Hernández, the Councilor for Rural Development, warned: "Although phylloxera has not yet been found in the La Orotava Valley, we must be very careful. No effort will be enough to protect our fields." He also reminded that violations of the rules for combating this pest may result in fines.
Criticism of the local council
The Cabildo PSOE (Socialist Party) of Tenerife criticized Rosa Dávila, the head of the local council, for not wanting to convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss phylloxera. The request for this meeting was submitted on August 24, as the pest was found in Tenerife at the end of July, although it was only announced on August 5.
Tamara Raya, a representative of the Socialists of Tenerife, expressed regret that in a month, the local council "did not hold any meetings, did not take any measures, and did not explain anything." She believes that "silence in such a situation is unacceptable, because this is a crisis that affects the agriculture of Tenerife and the important wine-growing industry."