New outbreak of Picudo Rojo

City Hall and the Canary Islands government reinforce the information campaign for the red weevil (Picudo Rojo) in La Oliva after a further outbreak of the pest was detected recently in El Cotillo.

The municipality of La Oliva, in collaboration with the Departamento de Sanidad Vegetal of the Canary Islands Government, will set up meetings to strengthen the information campaign about the picudo rojo pest which has been destroying Palm trees on the Island. The first of these meetings will be held next week in El Cotillo, the same district where the latest outbreak was detected. The plague, which was thought to have been brought under control, has highlighted that we need to continue to maintain the standards advised by the Regional Executive to prevent the spread of the insect.

About three weeks ago, the Department of Environment has received notification of the possible existence of an infected palm tree in El Cotillo. Then, following the protocol the palm was examined to verify the existence of the insect. The palms adjacent to the infected one were also examined to ensure the elimination of the pest, with the affected palms being cut down. Then traps (containers holding hormones that attract the male insects who were subsequently drowned by the water placed at the base of the bottles) were placed in the vicinity of the sourse of the outbreak to ensure that the plague is effectively eliminated.

Quick and effective action has made it possible to control the situation, "said the Counsellorl de Medio Ambiente, Genaro Saavedra. "But we cannot lower our guard. We want the publicto be informed, and to ensure that we rigidly follow the protocols stipulated by the Departamento de Sanidad Vegetal to avoid creating conditions that will allow the plague to spread as the consequences are fatal" he adds. "I want to thank the those who collaborated to eliminate the peste and applaud the professionalism of the technicians of the two administrations that have enabled us to control this outbreak but we must not lower our guard and I think it is good to discuss hot to act and discuss how to go exhamine palm trees to make sure they are healthy."

La Oliva, 14 DECEMBER 2007