The bicommunal Technical Committee for the Environment focuses on actions to combat rapidly spreading plant diseases in Cyprus, Greek Cypriot Head of the Committee, Michael Loizides, told CNA. Loizides noted that both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists and experts are working with the Committee to draft a plan for necessary measures.

At the same time, the Committee will employ four staff members, two Greek Cypriots and two Turkish Cypriots, specialising in forestry and agriculture, to monitor and map the results of these measures, once applied. The UN Development Program, which supports the Committee’s work, issued already a call for the vacancies, Loizides said, and the necessary funds for these paid positions will be covered by the EU.

Loizides underlined that this kind of issues can only be tackled with Cyprus-wide action.

As he explained, plant diseases have already affected citrus trees, but also prickly pear and zucchini plants. He further stressed that there is an urgent need to halt the spread of these pathogens before the problem reaches such a level that the EU moves to take measures and impose an embargo on affected Cypriot species.

With regard to citrus, he explained that some very strong drugs that can be applied to large plantations have been effective in neutralising the pathogens. However, he clarified that because a significant number of trees are in yards and pavements in residential areas, it is not possible to apply this treatment in these cases.

As a solution, experts that work with the Technical Committee propose the introduction of microorganisms that act as natural enemies of the disease carriers, while they also examine the potential of reproduction infrastructure for such microorganisms, Loizides said.

The work of the Committee in tackling environmental challenges in Cyprus has been successful in the past, when action was needed within the buffer zone to restore access to springs for mouflons, as well as to help increase the number of bam owls that act as natural enemies of rodents, Loizides noted, adding that he is confident that the action plan for plant disease will be just as successful.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. The bicommunal Technical Committees have been part of the efforts to build cooperation between the two communities.