Final Report and Policy Document

Risk mapping of the likelihood and impact of a Xylella fastidiosa outbreak in Scotland

Mapping Approach
Abstract

Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterial pathogen not currently found in the UK but a potential threat to many sectors of the Scottish plant-based economy, and the natural environment due to a wide host range and associated mortality.  Four subspecies of the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa are known to cause severe disease in a wide range of plant species, including important European crops such as Prunus, grapes, olives, rosemary and lavender and several species native to the UK. In preparedness for the possible arrival of the bacteria in the UK the Plant Health Centre requested information to help devise an effective response to a potential X. fastidiosa infection. This paper presents a broad-scale and spatially explicit risk assessment of Xylella infection to the key aspects of host-plant related concerns and businesses in Scotland.