Latest Xylella control options reviewed – have your say!

The draft analyses show that EU‑approved synthetic active substances currently demonstrate the most consistent effects in reducing vector survival, while a wide range of biological, non‑synthetic active substances and field-management practices continue to be investigated for their potential to reduce disease symptoms or bacterial populations in host plants. 

They also highlight several knowledge gaps, such as limited field‑scale studies (i.e. on farmland), variability Natural variations observed between members of a population, or observed over time or in different geographical locations; for example, individual variations in susceptibility to a particular toxic chemical.  in experimental design, and a scarcity of data on the effects that treatments have on pathogen Organism (e.g. bacterium, virus and parasite) that can cause disease transmission. 

The two draft scientific opinions 

Antonio Vicent Civera, Chair of EFSA’s Plant Health Panel, said: “These new analyses provide an updated and comprehensive overview of the available evidence on both vector control and management strategies in plants, strengthening the scientific basis for future decision‑making on Xylella fastidiosa.” 

The first draft opinion presents a global systematic review and meta‑analysis of direct vector control measures, covering all known xylem The plant tissue that transports water and mineral nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant‑feeding insect species A subdivision of the genus, a species is a group of closely related and similar-looking organisms; for example, in the case of Homo sapiens (humans), the second part of the name (sapiens) represents the species (i.e. insects that feed on a plant’s water‑conducting tissue) relevant to the transmission of Xylella fastidiosa. 

The second draft opinion updates the 2019 assessment of control measures in plants and adds other risk‑reduction options, compiling and critically appraising recent data on chemical, biological and agronomic treatments applied to living plants as well as results from in vitro Research method which involves testing cells or tissues extracted from living organisms studies. 

Public consultation and next steps

Both opinions are open for public consultation until 10 April 2026, with stakeholders, researchers and citizens invited to provide scientific feedback. After the consultation closes, EFSA will review and integrate relevant input into the final version of each opinion. In parallel, EFSA is preparing an update of its 2019 scientific opinion Opinions include risk assessments on general scientific issues, evaluations of an application for the authorisation of a product, substance or claim, or an evaluation of a risk assessment on Xylella fastidiosa, which will undergo a public consultation in mid-2026. 

The completed assessments will support the work of Member States and the European Commission for a potential review of current EU plant health measures against Xylella fastidiosa. 

The European Conference on Xylella will further contribute to the broader scientific discussion and policy process. Registration is open until 13 March 2026.

Notes to the editor 

Xylella fastidiosa is a plant‑pathogenic bacterium that infects the xylem of many crops and trees, including olives, grapevines and almonds. Spread by xylem‑feeding insects such as spittlebugs, it can cause leaf scorch, dieback and, in severe cases, plant decline. Since its first detection in Europe in 2013, it has been considered a major plant‑health threat due to its wide host range and potential economic impact.