For combining viruses which infests and disfigures peaches and nectarines in Pella and Imathiaand not about a virus, as was initially estimated, “speak” the first conclusions of the scientists from the sample analyzes carried out, with the president of the Interprofessional Organization of Kernels, Christos Giannakakis, vice-president of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHEAS), noting to APE-MPE that “of course, with the new analyzes that follow both at the Benakeio Institute, and at the appropriate European laboratory to be searched for, much more secure and definitive conclusions will emerge that will help us to intervene preventively”.

However, expressing his concern about the spread of the phenomenon and stating that public health is not threatened, Mr. Giannakakis reminded that first appeared in 2021 in a plot of land of 10 acres in Ampelies Giannitsa and within three years it has spread “alarmingly”, as he characteristically noted, explaining that it is now estimated that a total of 5,000 acres in Pella and Imathia have been affected. Of course, according to him, the biggest problem today is found in P.E. Pella, where the phenomenon has affected plots of land in Ampelies, Achladochori and Milotopos, while in Imathia it is found with low intensity and area in production in Polyplatanos.

Underlining that the issue is being investigated very seriously and methodically, the president of the Interprofessional Pyrinokarpo, vice-president of ETHEAS, pointed out: “within the next 15 days we expect to have the electronic program ready in which the declarations of the producers will be registered which will be submitted in writing and are co-signed by an agronomist regarding the parcels of land where the phenomenon that affects and distorts peaches and nectarines, the varieties and any other information is required in order to have a complete picture of the situation throughout Central Macedonia and thus be able to act effectively and immediately”. Of course, as he hastened to note, “the affected trees will be uprooted and burned and in the meantime we will make every possible effort so that the producers who will suffer losses will be financially supported”.

It is recalled that on 26/5 an extraordinary meeting was held in Kopanos, Naoussa, by the Interprofessional Organization of Stone Fruits, with the exclusive subject of examining the phenomenon of the virus that affects stone fruits and mainly peaches and nectarines.

Despite the fact that there have been repeated meetings since the occurrence of the phenomenon, however only warnings are addressed and no measure has been taken and thus “it was imperative for us to hold the meeting”, Mr. Giannakakis pointed out and added: “the phenomenon is extremely dangerous and if it is not dealt with properly and disciplined it will directly affect the cultivation and the income of rural households”.

It is emphasized that the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Dionysis Stamenitis, the Deputy Governor of Imathia, Kostas Kalaitzidis, the executive of DAOK Imathia, Kostas Beis, and the board of directors of the Interprofessional Organization of Pyrinokapra, with representatives from the productive cooperatives and industries, participated in the meeting. of the branch.n

After an extensive analysis and taking into account previous decisions of the deputy governor of Pella, Iordanis Tzamtzis, the administration of the Interprofessional organization of Pyrinocarps made the following decisions:

  • To record all the areas where the problem appeared and to enter the data in a special computer program so that conclusions can be drawn and the data analyzed.
  • The data must be submitted on a special form which will be signed by the farmer growing the orchard and will be certified by either the agronomist of the Collective Organization, or the agronomist consultant of the grower when he is not a member of the organization.
  • The data should be entered by the above-mentioned agronomists in an electronic program that will be created in the next few days in an “I-cloud” environment and key numbers will be given for access.
  • After entering the data, the original handwritten forms should be delivered to the local DAOK that each declared producer is under.
  • In the registration, every element must be accurately stated, such as the variety, the number of trees affected, the total area and every element that will be requested always based on the last submitted declaration of the IACS, with which the data will be cross-referenced.
  • To give directions in the next period, after consultations are made with the government agencies, on how the farmers will manage the fruits affected by the disease as well as the infected trees which must be destroyed.
  • To show the maximum responsibility in the overall management of the problem in order not to expand the phenomenon.
  • Samples should be sent to the Benaki Institute – they have already been sent – as well as it will be sought to send them to counterparts abroad – the most competent person is already being sought.
  • To set up committees in each Regional Unit where the problem exists, to coordinate the actions.
  • There should be a corresponding committee in the Ministry of Rural Development to supervise and coordinate actions centrally.
  • The uprooting of the affected trees and orchards should be financially supported.

Among other things, after the meeting that took place, the Kernel Interprofessional Organization announced that in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Regional Self-Government it will coordinate efforts to limit the phenomenon and take active measures.