Ionian Islands Regional Authority warns of increase in olive fruit fly infestation
CORFU. At the same time, it urges olive growers to spray their fields with approved pesticides.
(Ionian Islands Regional Authority) The Department of Agricultural Economy (Olive Fruit Fly Control Programme) of the Regional Unit of Corfu, has announced that due to the favourable conditions on the island for the development of the olive fruit fly, specifically: a) high relative humidity, b) rainfall, c) temperatures, d) increase in olive fruit fly population, and e) the large number of abandoned olive groves which serve as breeding grounds for the pest, these factors have led, or will lead, to an increase in olive fruit fly infestation.
Olive producers, regardless of whether their area is covered by the olive fruit fly control programme, should consider carrying out either full coverage or bait spraying on their own, after consulting an agronomist.
Growers should particularly pay attention to both the pesticide they choose and use for spraying, as well as to the interval between spraying and olive harvesting (pre-harvest interval). The use of non-approved pesticides on olives and failure to observe the pre-harvest interval (PHI) can result in residues of plant protection products-agricultural chemicals remaining on the olives and, naturally, in the olive oil produced. The detection of residues following a laboratory testing entails penalties for the producer.
Reminder:
a) Regarding the selection and application of a pesticide, the instructions on the label must be strictly followed, and under no circumstances should there be any deviation from it.
b) Copper-based products have a beneficial effect on olive production (preventive treatment of diseases such as olive leaf spot, anthracnose, control of olive knot, and egg-repellent properties).
For further information or clarification, interested olive growers can contact the Corfu Agricultural Economy Directorate at 26613 64711.
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