EU ban on Costa Rican ornamental plants jeopardizes 700 jobs
May 21st, 2015 (InsideCostaRica.com) The European Union has banned the import of certain ornamental plants from Costa Rica due to fears over a bacterium known as Xylella fastidiosa which has been blighting olive trees and vineyards in Europe, and which Italian officials believe was introduced to Italy by way of ornamental plants from Costa Rica.
The ban applies to a popular variety known as the “Phoenix” varietal, which includes a number of different tropical ornamentals, according to La Nacion. Between 700 and 800 hectares of the variety are planted in Costa Rica.
The resolution also included a ban on Costa Rican coffee plants, but not coffee beans. Coffee plants are used as ornamentals in Europe.
Bernardo Vargas, executive director of the Chamber of Plant, Flower, and Foliage Growers is warning that the ban could jeoparodize some 700 direct jobs in Costa Rica, according to La Nacion.
The European Union typical makes up 36% of the demand for Costa Rican ornamentals. Costa Rica exported $33 million USD worth of ornamental plants to the EU in 2013 and $28 million in 2014.
The ban applies to all 28 EU member countries.
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