Phylloxera has been detected in Tenerife: 50 grapevines are infected.
Phylloxera has been detected on 50 grapevines in Tenerife, raising concerns about the spread of the pest that once devastated European winemaking.
Phylloxera, a pest that affects grapevines, has been discovered in Tenerife. According to the head of the local council, Rosa Dávila, more than 1,600 vineyards have already been inspected, and the infection was found on 50 vines. Mostly, these are abandoned plots. She announced this on Wednesday.
After the meeting of the island council, Dávila assured that these 50 cases of infection are "clearly localized." She disagreed with the Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers of the Canary Islands, which considers the measures of the government of the Canary Islands to be excessive.
The head of the council emphasized that they reacted to the appearance of this aphid "very quickly" in order to guarantee safety and stop the spread of the pest.
"Phylloxera once destroyed almost all winemaking in Europe, but the Canary Islands were spared. That is why our wine is so special. Now we have a small center of infection, and we want it to stay that way. All measures, even if they seem strict, will help us get rid of phylloxera," Rosa Dávila emphasized.
She added that now, during the harvest, it is especially important to prevent the spread of the pest. "Apart from Avibo, no one has criticized these measures," she said.
Valentín González, advisor on agricultural issues, believes that the best way to protect the vineyards of Tenerife is not to transport plants, as required by the governments of the Canary Islands and Spain. He is convinced that this will help minimize the negative consequences of the outbreak for both the economy and the reputation of the region.
"This will in no way affect the uniqueness of our wines," the advisor concluded.