A dangerous tree-damaging beetle from Asia has been detected in the EU

According to the authorities, a tiny beetle of Asian origin, which has devastated ash forests in North America, has been detected for the first time in the European Union in Hungary and Slovakia.

The Slovak Central Institute for Agricultural Control and Research (UKSUP), based in Bratislava, reported that this month, in the east of the country, in the Streda pri Bodrogóme district, 18 specimens believed to be emerald ash borers were found.

The Hungarian Food Safety Authority (NEBIH) stated in its report that in June, two adult emerald ash borers were found in traps in the Beregšurany Forest near the Hungarian-Ukrainian border.

According to the agency, the emerald ash borer is “one of the most serious pests affecting ash trees” and “has already devastated countless ash trees in North America and Eastern Europe”.

The Hungarian authorities have ordered the setting of more traps and improved monitoring to assess the spread of this beetle, which can grow up to 1.4 centimetres in length as an adult.

NEBIH has urged the public to report any trees showing suspicious symptoms.

This beetle has destroyed tens of thousands of ash trees in the United States and Canada, and many European countries state that they have contingency plans in place should it appear on this continent.

Hungary has called for the issue of these beetles to be included on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of EU agriculture ministers.

“We understand the seriousness of the situation and are doing everything possible to ensure that this pest does not become permanently established in Hungary or pose a plant health problem for the entire European Union,” – Szabolcs Bona, Hungary’s Minister of Agriculture, told journalists from the agricultural news website “Agroinform.hu”.