The EU Commission is going to cut down in the Italian region of Puglia million olive trees, according to the European office of international public ecological organization "Green Front". Trees infected with dangerous bacteria and therefore must be destroyed. Experts in the field of environmental protection oppose this plan: the trees are just sick of fungal infection. They can be saved by applying the appropriate treatment.

Olive trees are located in Salento. All trees over a hundred years. They are amazed by the bacterium хylella fastidiosa, which was brought in 2013, from America to the European continent. The EU Commission reports that in the Italian city of Lecce is infected with at least 10% of the 11 million olive trees. But that's not all: the bacteria threatens the vineyards and fruit orchards in the South of Europe. "The French are scared of those consequences that хylella fastidiosa can have on the wine industry". Spain also ranks among the affected areas.

The representative of the European Agency for food safety (EFSA) said that, despite the presence of quite encouraging reports in early January, concerns remain. Olive trees are dying from lack of moisture. This process provokes an insect that sucks the liquid out of the tree. "Even those trees that do not show any symptoms, may be carriers of the bacteria. This complicates the situation. Felling will not be enough to fix the problem", - said the representative of EFSA.

Local activist group called Peacelink doubts in the report of the European Agency. According to the activists, the loss of trees not guilty bacterium, and the usual fungal infection. In their arguments they rely on the results of a study conducted by the University of Foggia. In a letter to the European Commissioner for health and consumer rights, the group reported on how they have successfully treated 500 trees. Therefore the "total" cutting is not needed. Only the Commissioner does not want to hear. Note that Italy is the second largest producer of olive oil in the EU, second only to Spain.