The Executive Branch points out that they constitute a phytosanitary risk and represent a source for the spread of pests.
He Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) aims to eradicate abandoned fruit forests throughout the national territory, since it indicates that they constitute a phytosanitary risk and represent a source of pest spread.
The government ministry will inform rural producers to eliminate their fruit trees, since it understands that they are a detriment to the neighboring mountains, otherwise they could receive sanctions according to article 284 of law no. 19,924.
He general director of the MGAP Farm, Nicolás Chiesaremarked in the last hours that “they cannot exist in Uruguay fruit forests in a condition of abandonment” and assured that those in charge of them must condition or eradicate them to prevent the spread of grapholite, codling moth and peach and apple worms.
These actions will protect neighboring producers so that they can carry out fruit production in good condition and normally. In 2020 and 2023, the General Farm Management He called on the owners of forests in poor condition to offer them economic resources so that they can improve this situation.
What is considered an “abandoned fruit forest”?
Abandoned fruit forests are considered, totally or partially, those that did not have pest control during the last year, regardless of their production system. Likewise, it also covers those lands that do not have plants or have dry branches, which do not show a commitment to health and productive viability.
In turn, those that do not have efficient management of fruit trees for two consecutive seasons are included and lands with an absence of documentary record are considered, through the field notebook, or digitally in a phytosanitary management database.
The owners, tenants, usufructuaries or occupants in any capacity of an establishment with fruit forests must inform the General Directorate of the Farm of the situation of the property, and will be obliged to allow officials access to the establishment. “If it cannot be accessed, it will be taken to court, and if it is not eliminated, it will be sanctioned as a misdemeanor before the MGAP, explained Chiesa.
Source: Ambito
