Dates Palm Tree (Phoenix dactylifera)
The Town Hall of Poble Nou of Benitachell has issued a communiqué with advice on how to fight the plague of Red Palm Weevils or Picudos Rojos currently attacking public and private palm trees in town.
First: If you are a resident in town and own date (Phoenix dactylifera) and/or Canary palm trees (Phoenix canariensis), please be aware of the health of your plants. Should they show any strange signs of being attacked by a plague or bitten, please report this immediately to the Environment Department by calling at +34 966 493 369. You can also report this to the Council of Agriculture, Fishing and Food —Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación.
The Town Hall will provide effective advice by first inspecting the plants to confirm if the plant is affected by the Picudo Rojo and then instructing the owner on the protocol to follow, which has been designed by the Council of Agriculture, Fishing and Food to fight the Picudo Rojo.
Second: The trade and movement of plants affected by this bug are strictly prohibited.
Third: It is recommended to follow preventive steps from March to December and after pruning or maintaining the plants.
Fourth: It is advised to prune the plants in winter, from January to February.
Fifth: Any gardening companies treating or destroying affected palm trees or performing pruning or gardening maintenance works must be certified and approved by the Council of Agriculture, Fishing and Food. Else, they will not be legally authorised to handle affected palm trees.
Sixth: The planting of species sensitive to this bug —such as the dates palm tree or the Canary palm tree—are highly discouraged within the municipality, unless these plants hold a legal fitosanitary passport that complies with the regional regulations.
Seventh: As to the legal penalties to apply, the 43/2002 Law of Vegetal Sanitary Conditions will be applied.