5th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa: science for sustainable management

The 5th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa, concluded in Mola di Bari, marked a step forward in the fight against this global pathogen. Research and collaboration between scientists, politicians and stakeholders have led to concrete results on olive resistance, biological control and vector management. The conference, organized by EFSA and other partners, revealed progress in vector biology, epidemiological models and surveillance strategies. Researchers presented data on genomic resistance and microbiome for agricultural regeneration. The collaboration between the EU, EFSA and member states has accelerated the understanding and search for practical solutions. In addition, a roundtable evaluated EU policy for Xylella, while visits to Puglia showed containment and regeneration efforts. Soon, EFSA will launch a public consultation on disease latency periods and incidence, with the aim of updating the risk assessment by 2026. Xyle, a bacterium transmissible by insects, affects hundreds of plant species, with devastating losses in Puglia. The conference highlighted the need for a multidisciplinary approach to manage the risk and support sustainable agriculture.