The Cabildo of Tenerife has announced an investment of nearly €150,000 for the recruitment of eight new technicians to assist in the control of the phylloxera pest. This announcement was made yesterday, Wednesday 3rd September, during a meeting with over 150 grape growers from the Tacoronte-Acentejo Regulatory Council.
The Vice-President of the Cabildo, Lope Afonso, and the Councillor for the Primary Sector, Valentín González, led the meeting, which is part of a series of informational gatherings in the island’s wine regions. Both officials highlighted the institution’s commitment to preventing the spread of this pest.
The new technicians, managed through the GMR (Rural Management) of the Government of the Canary Islands, will join the current team of 22 Agricultural Extension technicians and 9 from the Cabildo’s Agriculture department, who have already conducted over 1,600 inspections.
Key Collaboration
Lope Afonso emphasised that, for the moment, the focus of the pest is very localised, with only 50 affected plants. “The focus is very contained, and we will continue to work hand in hand with the Government of the Canary Islands to ensure it remains so,” he stated.
The Vice-President also stressed the “close collaboration” with the grape growers, whom he described as “our eyes in the fields of Tenerife,” acknowledging their crucial role in detecting and containing the outbreak, which was identified at the end of July in Valle de Guerra.
Meanwhile, Valentín González highlighted the significance of increasing personnel during the grape harvest season to expedite visits to farms and issue the necessary reports to minimise damage to farmers and the entire sector.
Urgently Convening the Wine Table
During the same meeting, the urgent convening of the Island Wine Table was announced for next Monday, 8th September. The aim is to provide detailed information on the situation to the various stakeholders in the sector and involve them in the fight against this pest.
Afonso and González reminded everyone that, although phylloxera does not affect the quality of Tenerife wine, it does pose a significant risk to the health of the vineyards.
