Pavlos Neophytou
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment is requesting the support of local authorities to prevent the destruction of the island’s citrus crops. The issue, highlighted last December by K, has been a significant concern for the Ministry of Agriculture and the research community since July 2023, when the Asian citrus psyllid was first detected on the island. It is now spreading rapidly, threatening agriculture, the economy, the environment, and cultural heritage. The government, in collaboration with academic researchers from both Cyprus and the U.S., has sounded the alarm from the outset, implementing a national action plan and taking measures. However, academic experts believe that more needs to be done, as additional personnel and financial resources are required for a comprehensive and effective program, meeting global standards such as those in California, where significant results have been achieved. At the same time, the poor history of addressing harmful organisms that caused major damage to plants, such as fig trees and palm trees, raises concerns among professionals and scientists in the field. Additionally, there remains uncertainty about whether there is adequate coordination with the Turkish-occupied areas.
Entomologist Menelaos Stavrinidis from the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) emphasized the need for a system in which samples are collected from many areas, as was done during the COVID period.
The herald of destruction is a small insect, 3 to 4 mm in size, with a spotted brown body and light brown head, which primarily infests citrus plants. It causes twisting of leaves on young shoots, without significant damage to the trees and production, but it is the main carrier of citrus yellow dragon disease, or Huanglongbing (HLB), the most destructive citrus disease in recent years in America, Asia, and Africa. It is important to note that the Asian psyllid has been detected in no other EU member state—only in Cyprus.
More active role
After several actions in 2023 and 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture is again reaching out to local authorities, requesting their more active participation in efforts to reduce the presence of the harmful insect and to detect the bacteria early. According to instructions sent by the Ministry on Friday, January 3, to all municipalities and communities via the Municipalities and Communities Unions, local authorities are asked to submit the contact details of personnel responsible for planting and maintaining public parks, gardens, and sidewalks by January 31. The Department of Agriculture will then contact them to provide an annual program and written instructions for sampling the D. citri insect for laboratory examination to confirm the presence or absence of the bacteria.
At the same time, the Department emphasizes the importance of avoiding the planting of host plants in urban green spaces. Specifically, it encourages not planting citrus species (Citrus spp.), as well as Fortunella spp., Poncirus spp., and Murraya paniculata.
It is stressed that if the bacteria are detected in Cyprus, the Department of Agriculture will require strict measures, including the immediate destruction of infected plants of the species mentioned above.
The Ministry's intention is to increase the involvement of local authorities, as they now have their own agronomists. Since citrus plants are found everywhere, local authorities can provide “eyes” on urban green spaces, sidewalks, and gardens, said Dr. Anthemi Melifronidou-Pantelidou, Head of the Plant Health Division. “We want to create a network that will allow us to quickly and directly share information and any new findings. Likewise, they can share information with us to ensure a two-way exchange,” she added.
Insect from the U.S.
The Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Institute, has taken measures from the start, drafting a National Action Plan for the harmful insect. This plan aims, under Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, to limit and/or eliminate the pest to prevent or reduce any potential risks of spreading the bacteria if it enters the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. To date, the Ministry’s plan includes measures such as chemical treatment, as well as biological control by releasing the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata in April, which combats the Asian psyllid. The parasitoid was imported from the U.S. after an official from the Agricultural Research Institute visited California.
At the same time, strict monitoring of orchards and urban plantings is being carried out to confirm the absence of HLB in Cyprus. According to the Department of Agriculture, the nearest country to Cyprus where HLB has been detected is Saudi Arabia.
Need for resources
Meanwhile, entomologist and Associate Professor at the Department of Agricultural Sciences at TEPAK, Menelaos Stavrinidis, who is involved in analyzing the insect population at the "Eratosthenes" Research Center, estimates that despite the significant efforts made by the Department of Agriculture from the start, such as reaching out to local authorities, much more needs to be done given the limited staff and financial resources available. “To prevent the bacteria early, we need to keep insect populations low across Cyprus. Secondly, we need frequent inspections to detect any early arrival of the bacteria and prevent it from spreading quickly,” he explained.
He emphasized that while the Ministry has taken commendable actions, much more is still needed. The volume of samples being tested for the bacteria must increase. Referring to the California model, he described a system in which samples from many areas are tested, as was done during the COVID period when large populations were monitored. In California, there is a method that allows for testing many samples at low cost and in a short period of time, he noted, adding that if suspicious samples are found, further specialized analyses follow.
Absence of a dedicated team
Currently, expertise is not lacking in Cyprus, as the Ministry has consulted with scientists from Spain and the U.S., but resources for effective management are insufficient, Dr. Stavrinidis noted. He added that there is a need to create a specialized team within the Ministry, almost exclusively focused on this issue. “Their mission would be to go out, collect samples, and analyze them for the presence of the bacteria. Once detected, this team would go to the area and take action,” he stressed.
From the Ministry’s side, Dr. Anthemi Melifronidou-Pantelidou commented that so far, they have achieved their goals regarding the monitoring of the Asian psyllid. However, they believe they must continue their efforts. She also mentioned that the Plant Health Division intends to evaluate the measures taken in 2024. If further actions are needed, they will submit new proposals to the Minister of Agriculture.
Occupied areas
In response to a related question, she assured that through the joint intercommunal committee, the Turkish-occupied areas have been informed and are on alert, taking measures. She said they are in close cooperation with the intercommunal committee and the European team handling matters related to the Green Line regulation. As with the free areas, they have been informed that the yellow dragon disease bacteria has not yet been detected in the occupied areas.
Bad precedent
At the same time, the poor history of early detection of harmful organisms that caused major damage to plants, such as fig trees and palm trees, raises questions. “Did we learn anything from those cases?” she was asked. “We always learn. New methods are developed, and we try to adopt new tools,” commented the Head of the Plant Health Division. She added that the fig tree issue was somewhat different, as it was not considered a harmful organism based on EU legislation, while citrus plants have emerged as a harmful organism, making them a priority.
She also noted that the European Commission is aware of all the actions taken by the Department of Agriculture and monitors the situation from its side. If needed, they can consult with the Commission.
"In Cyprus, it's not just the fig trees. We recently had the weevil problem, which led to the drying out of many palm trees. We have many such examples, and unfortunately, we often don't catch the consequences in time. On the other hand, what I see is that we are a small country, which could control the problem. We may not have the resources that countries like California or New Zealand have to operate in such a strict framework, but we can multiply our efforts because the cost to farmers, with increased spraying that leads to higher production costs, is far greater than the cost we would incur if we applied stricter measures to prevent the introduction of harmful species. It's a matter of organization," Dr. Stavrinidis said.
Blow to exports
Citrus cultivation in Cyprus spans approximately 3,000 hectares, according to the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization (2023). This figure does not include citrus plants in gardens and public spaces. According to data from the Statistical Service, in 2023, the value of citrus exports from Cyprus was 12 million and 408 thousand euros (18,828 kg). For 2024 (January-August), the corresponding value was 7 million and 289 thousand euros (10,860 kg). As for the value of citrus production in Cyprus, available data from 2021 shows that with a total area of 2,908 hectares and total production of 56,199 tons, the total production value is 14 million and 320 thousand euros.
This article was translated from its Greek original.
