The EU and Sweden in debate concerning the pine wood nematode

In August 2008 the Swedish Forest Agency reported that pine wood nematodes have been found in wooden packing crates in Sweden. Earlier inside of Europe the nematode has been found only in Portugal. Nematode lives in pines' water transportation channels and disturbs the water flow so that the trees easily die from draught.

EU and Sweden have different opinions concerning the necessity of regulating unmarked packing crates from Portugal. The Union says that the Swedish requirement that all unmarked packing crates from Portugal must be reported and destroyed is excessive when new rules are to be established.

The Commission has imposed prohibitions of exports of saplings and wooden products from Portugal. The only exception is when the authorities can ensure that the goods are not contaminated by the pine wood nematode.

Ms Karin Nordin, head of the plant inspection department at the Swedish Board of Agriculture, is glad that the EU Commission has now taken a stricter position in the nematode question. Despite discoveries in Spain, Finland and Sweden of pine wood nematodes in wooden packing crates the Commission has made a risk analysis different from that made by Sweden, which attaches more importance to forest protection, says Nordin.

The Swedish decision to impose advance reporting of packing crates was made when nematodes were discovered in 10 % of all wooden crates inspected by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

The Board says that the Commission has now taken a stricter position and that it is more on the same lines as Sweden. However, the difference is that in the Commission's opinion only unmarked wooden crates made in Portugal must be destroyed. Ms Nordin says that we must now continue our work to ensure that only controlled wooden crates will be used in business.