The Cabildo of Lanzarote and the Regulatory Council of the DO Wines of Lanzarote have approved a package of urgent measures to prevent the entry of the plague onto the island.
The Agriculture and Livestock Area of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, led by the president, Oswaldo Betancort, in coordination with the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin Wines of Lanzarote, has developed the first roadmap with specific measures for the prevention of phylloxera on the island, following its recent detection in vineyards on Tenerife.
This document outlines immediate actions involving administrations, winemakers, and wineries, and includes the establishment of an island commission to monitor the evolution of this threat and ensure maximum coordination between institutions and the sector.
Among the short-term measures, there is a request to strengthen controls at the Border Inspection Point to ensure strict compliance with the Ministerial Order of March 12, 1987, which establishes phytosanitary regulations for the import, export, and transit of plants and plant products in the Canary Islands. This aspect is considered crucial to prevent the entry of the pest.
Additionally, specialised technical personnel will begin explorations in abandoned vineyards in Lanzarote, as nearly 100% of the 18 cases detected in Tenerife have appeared in unused plots, where the lack of monitoring facilitates the spread of pests.
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote has emphasised the importance of acting promptly in approving this roadmap, stating, “This demonstrates the Cabildo and the Regulatory Council’s strong commitment to protecting our vineyards. The Lanzarote vineyard is a unique heritage in the world, part of our identity and an economic driver through wine and wine tourism. Therefore, we must act with special diligence and collective responsibility to safeguard it against any threat.”
Betancort has also reiterated the call to winemakers, wineries, and the general population not to introduce plant material from other islands or territories and to actively collaborate in the early detection of any suspicious symptoms.
“Prevention is our best tool. We have an exemplary and committed sector, and we believe that by working together, we can keep Lanzarote free from phylloxera,” added the island president.
