Stakeholders’ Perception of Xylella Fastidiosa (Xf) Disease Risk Assessment: First Results from Puglia (IT), Chania (GR), Valencia and Andalucia (ES)

Abstract

Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium of the monotypic genus Xylella. It is transmitted exclusively by xylem fluid feeding sap insects. Xf is one of the most dangerous plant bacteria worldwide, causing a variety of diseases, with huge impact for agriculture, and affecting cultivated plants of high economic value (e.g., olive trees, stone fruits-plums, almonds, cherries) or wide-spread ornamental plants (e.g., myrtle-leaf milkwort, oleander). In the frame of H2020 Project XF-ACTORS, analysis of the environmental, socio-economic and governance impact and vulnerability to Xf have been carried out in selected case study areas. To reach this goal, an extensive survey was conducted with the support of a comprehensive questionnaire in Puglia (Italy), Crete (Greece), Valencia and Andalusia (Spain). Questionnaires were completed through face-to-face interviews with local farmers, decision makers, extension experts and practitioners. The survey aimed to: 1) collect the point of view and perception of people about Xf disease and the containment plans; 2) identify possible gaps in communication, understand possible weak points in the communication strategy that could hamper the application and the effectiveness of containment measures; 3) understand the network of relationships existing among stakeholders in territorial contexts; and 4) collect suggestions from local people with a view to improving the management of information related to the disease. Questions were grouped under different main criteria: Knowledge, Perception, Practices, Involvement, Effectiveness, Responsibility. A scoring procedure assigned to each question a value to assess the corresponding indexes: DKI-Disease Knowledge Index,

What Can Be Learnt by a Synoptic Review of Plant Disease Epidemics and Outbreaks Published in 2021

“…Where containment is practised as a disease management objective, the importance of involving a broad spectrum of participants -farmers, extension workers, practitioners, and plant health regulators -is now well recognised (Ladisa et al 2021). Such involvement is necessary to improve cooperation and coordination amongst participants (Sherman et al 2019) and should form part of any risk-based approach to disease management (Hyatt-Twynam et al 2017).…”