CoLAB has been running for at least two years now InnovPlantProtect has a strategyto develop a biological solution against Xylella fastidiosa. However, to date, it has not been possible to find public or private funds to materialize this project.
However, the need for its development seems inevitable, since this pathogenic bacterium, which produces a disease that kills olive trees, almond trees and vineyards, among dozens of other plants, is already present in three areas of Portugal (Porto, Queluz and the Algarve) and its vectors exist throughout the territory.
When will the country realize that it has to invest now - in fact, it should have done so two years ago - so that this extremely aggressive disease doesn't spread to Portuguese olive and almond groves? Why isn't investment being made in prevention, instead of waiting for disaster to strike and then throwing up our hands?
Pedro Fevereiro, CEO of InnovPlantProtect, Visiting Professor, ITQB NOVA
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