The Union warns of a new 'cotonet' in the Valencian Community that mainly affects some vegetables.

The Farmers' Union has warned about the appearance of a new Cotonet (Phenacoccus solenopsis) imported into the Valencian Community that primarily affects certain solanaceous vegetables such as pepper, tomato, and eggplant, as well as ornamental plants. The first detections are in the province of Alicante, specifically in a lemon tree in Elche and an ornamental lantana plant in Crevillent. The Ministry of Agriculture has already communicated the appearance of this new pest in Valencian territory. Initially, it does not seem too worrying as the European Commission, after conducting a risk assessment, has decided not to include it within the 400 quarantine pests listed in the 2019/2072 Executive Regulation. This new Cotonet, originally from North America, has spread to all continents. In the European continent, its presence has been reported in Italy, France, Greece, Cyprus, and in the Canary Islands, specifically in Tenerife. The first detections in the Valencian Community mark its ...