Around 45 olive trees in Italy have been culled in a bid to prevent the Xylella fastidiosa bacteria disease from spreading across the key Puglia growing region.

Italy's Civil Protection Agency ordered the trees to be cut down in Oria, as part of an ongoing campaign to contain the bacteria following concerns at a European Union level earlier this year.

European Members of Parliament held a plenary session in Brussels in May to debate the growing concerns surround the prevalence of the bacteria in the production of olives throughout southern Europe. During this session, calls were made to remove infected trees.

Xylella fastidiosa, also known as leaf scorch, can be spread by insects and has wiped out thousands of hectares of plantations in southern Italy. A major concern is the bacteria could infect Europe’s citrus production and vineyards.

Commissioner of Civil Protection for the Xylella emergency, Giuseppe Silletti, says the trees were cut down safely and in accordance with the EU request.

"I thank the farmers and landowners for their invaluable cooperation which enabled us to proceed with the utmost security," he says in a release, highlighting good agricultural practices across 62,000 hectares had helped reduce the presence of the insect vector throughout the territory.

“We continue our work to protect the agricultural heritage and olive oil from Puglia. We thank all institutions and law enforcement agencies that have contributed to the results.”

An €11 million (US$12.1 million) EU funding package was given to Italian authorities to help control the spread of the bacteria and to compensate growers, although the Civil Protection Agency is working on a strategy on how best to support olive producers.

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