Quarantine Declared in Trebisov District after Emerald Ash Borer Discovered

Trebisov, 21 August (TASR) - The District Office in Trebisov (Kosice region) has declared quarantine in part of the district due to the occurrence of a new pest, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), a beetle that infests trees of the ash genus and has been confirmed in 26 municipalities, TASR reported on Friday. The pest has been detected in samples from traps and wood, as well as through visual confirmation of ash infestation. Plant health inspectors collected samples between 7 July and 4 August, and the presence of the pest was subsequently confirmed by laboratory tests. The authorities have therefore declared an infested zone and a buffer zone, while also ordering several measures, such as the felling of infested or suspected host trees by 15 April 2027 at the latest and a ban on moving host plants and wood, including firewood, logs, wood chips, wood waste and bark from the infested zone. Planting of new host trees in open areas is also prohibited. The infested zone includes the municipalities of Backa, Bol, Botany, Cejkov, Kasov, Kazimir, Kralovsky Chlmec, Leles, Luhyna, Maly Hores, Maly Kamenec, Polany, Pribenik, Slovenske Nove Mesto, Solnicka, Somotor, Strazne, Streda nad Bodrogom, Svata Maria, Velky Hores, Velky Kamenec, Vinicky, Zatin, Zemplin, Zemplinske Hradiste and Zemplinsky Branc. A buffer zone of at least ten kilometres has been established around the infested area, covering dozens of additional municipalities where the movement of host plants, wood and bark is also prohibited. Special restrictions also apply to an area extending up to 90 kilometres from the outer boundary. Plants, wood, wood chips, bark and other products made from host trees may not be moved from this area within Slovakia, to other EU-member states or exported to third countries unless specified conditions are met. jrg/df