(1)

The third subparagraph of Article 4(2) of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 (2) is obsolete because all containment areas within the meaning of Article 7(1) are now listed in Annex II to that Decision.

(2)

On 12 March 2018 the Italian authorities notified outbreaks of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) (hereinafter ‘the specified organism’) detected in different parts of the buffer zone and in particular a large number of outbreaks in the last 20 km strip of the infected zone, adjacent to the buffer zone, in South of Apulia (Italy). The number of those outbreaks has led to the conclusion that eradication of the specified organism is no longer possible in the current buffer zone. Furthermore, due to the significant delays in the removal of plants infected by the specified organism, the risk of further spread towards the north of the Apulia region is high as the current containment and buffer zones no longer fulfil their functions

(3)

In the light of these developments, it is appropriate to expand the demarcated area subject to containment instead of having eradication measures in certain parts of the territory concerned. Such expansion should take place without delay taking into account the risk of further spreading of the specified organism in the rest of the Union territory which has increased with the start of the flight season of the insect vectors in early spring. The infected zone should therefore be extended to cover those municipalities of the provinces of Brindisi and Taranto where outbreaks of the specified organism have been detected. It should also cover the part of the province of Bari where it is likely that that organism has already spread and is established.

(4)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed,

(1)

the third subparagraph of Article 4(2) is deleted;

(2)

Part A of Annex II is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.