EU Plant Health Alerts: 2nd quarter of June 2025 - Overview for Farmers

EU Plant Health Alerts: Comprehensive Analysis (June 11-16, 2025)

Following an extensive search across official regional plant protection services in multiple EU countries and languages, I have identified several critical plant health alerts issued during the specified period of June 11-16, 2025. This analysis provides a complete overview of alerts found across major agricultural producing regions.

Executive Summary

The search revealed confirmed plant health alerts from Greece and Spain, with additional regulatory activities in France and Germany. Notably, the majority of EU countries did not issue specific new alerts during this narrow 5-day window. However, we run an analysis of the local weather conditions and the stage of the crops cultivated locally, we give farmers some recommendations of pests and pathogens that may occur and found in their fields and some action measure.

Country-by-Country Analysis

Greece - Multiple Alerts Confirmed

Greece issued four separate plant health alerts during the target period, demonstrating active monitoring and response systems:

Olive Pest Alert (June 11, 2025)

Alert Issued: June 11, 2025
Region: Pieria and mountainous Chalkidiki
Crop: Olives
Primary Pest: Prays oleae (Olive kernel borer)
Situation: Flight period started June 7-10, with hatching predicted for June 15-17
Action Required: Intervention recommended between June 14-18
Additional Threats: Palpita unionalis (Margaronia), Rhynchites cribripennis, and Otiorhynchus cribricollis also mentioned

Stone Fruit Alert (June 12, 2025)

Alert Issued: June 12, 2025
Region: Imathia, Pieria, and Pella regions
Crop: Peach trees
Pests: Adoxophyes orana (Leafroller) and Anarsia lineatella (Peach twig borer)
Situation: Significant flight increase observed June 9-12, with egg laying starting June 13-15
Intervention Timing: Ovicidal products (June 15-17), larvicidal products (June 19-21)

Potato Disease Alert (June 12, 2025)

Alert Issued: June 12, 2025
Region: Lasithi Plateau, Crete
Crop: Potatoes
Disease: Phytophthora infestans (Late blight)
Situation: Variable planting stages requiring monitoring, with dry conditions following disease-favorable weather
Recommendation: Monitor early plantations for symptoms and apply fungicides if detected

Vineyard Alert (June 16, 2025)

Alert Issued: June 16, 2025
Region: Heraklion, Crete
Crop: Vineyards
Multiple Threats: Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth) 2nd flight in progress, Erysiphe necator (Powdery mildew), Plasmopara viticola (Downy mildew), and increased leafhopper populations.
Crop Stage: Berry development to bunch closure (BBCH 75-77)

Spain - Critical Quarantine Alert

Spain issued a major plant health declaration during this period:

Scirtothrips dorsalis Official Declaration (Published June 13, 2025)

Alert Date: Official publication June 13, 2025, based on June 2 order
Region: Murcia (Autonomous Community)
Pest: Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Chilli thrips/Tea thrips)
Status: Official pest establishment declaration
Affected Crops: Citrus, peppers, potatoes, celery, cucumbers, beans, garlic, table grapes, vines, pears, pomegranates, persimmons, and numerous ornamental species
Mandatory Measures: Minimum two consecutive phytosanitary treatments 2-3 weeks apart, movement restrictions, mandatory phytosanitary passports for fruit exports from demarcated zones
Significance: This represents a quarantine pest establishment requiring immediate containment actions

France - Regulatory Deadlines

While no new plant health alerts were issued during June 11-16, France had critical mandatory treatment deadlines:

Flavescence Dorée Mandatory Treatments

Deadline: June 12, 2025, for first obligatory treatment against Scaphoideus titanus vectors in designated infected areas
Scope: All flagged zones requiring mandatory insecticide applications
Legal Requirement: Obligatory spraying to prevent disease spread

Viticulture Disease Pressure

Black-rot: Very high risk reported in Charentes region
Powdery Mildew: High risk with significant presence in monitoring plots
Downy Mildew: Continued low pressure but ongoing monitoring

Germany - Regulatory Activity

Germany had significant plant protection product regulatory changes:

Plant Protection Product Withdrawals (June 11, 2025)

Action Date: June 11, 2025
Products Affected: Multiple plant protection products containing flufenacet withdrawn
Impact: Various withdrawal dates from June 5-December 10, 2025, with specific sales and use deadlines
Authorization Extensions: Several other products received extended authorizations

Environmental Conditions and Agricultural Risks for EU Countries Without Plant Health Alerts (June 11-16, 2025)

During the June 11-16, 2025, period, several major EU agricultural producers—Italy, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, and Germany—did not issue specific plant health alerts despite facing significant environmental stresses. This analysis reveals that these countries are experiencing unprecedented drought conditions, extreme temperature fluctuations, and weather patterns that create ideal conditions for various plant diseases and pest outbreaks. The absence of alerts during this critical period may reflect timing factors rather than absence of risks, as these environmental conditions present substantial threats to crop health and agricultural productivity.

Italy: Heat Stress and Fungal Disease Pressure

Environmental Conditions

Italy is experiencing unusually warm conditions in June 2025, with temperatures ranging from 27-34°C across different regions. The country shows moderate rainfall patterns with 3-8 rainy days expected during June, totalling approximately 37mm of monthly precipitation. Central regions are experiencing temperatures of 28-33°C, while southern Italy may reach 30-35°C with abundant sunshine.

Plant Health Risks and Farmer Actions

Fungal Disease Pressure: The combination of warm temperatures and periodic humidity creates optimal conditions for downy mildew in vineyards and various foliar diseases. Italy has already reported issues with Ricania speculum in vine and olive systems during early May 2025.

Recommended Actions:

Monitor vineyards closely for downy mildew symptoms, particularly during periods of high humidity
Implement preventive fungicide applications with rotation strategies to prevent resistance development
Maintain proper canopy management to improve airflow and reduce disease pressure
Focus irrigation management during fruit development stages when water stress can significantly impact yield quality

Netherlands: Drought Stress Despite Moderate Temperatures

Environmental Conditions

The Netherlands is experiencing cooler temperatures (19°C maximum) compared to other EU regions, with 13-14 days of rainfall expected in June totalling 61-68mm. However, the country faces severe underlying drought conditions following an extremely dry spring 2025. Groundwater levels have plummeted dramatically since January 2025, with some regions experiencing the lowest levels in 50 years.

Plant Health Risks and Farmer Actions

Drought Stress: Despite recent rainfall, the structural water deficit poses significant risks to crop development. The shallow groundwater—critical for crop support—has declined substantially, leaving agricultural systems vulnerable.

Emerging Pest Pressures: Warm, dry conditions favor pest outbreaks, particularly in fruit production systems where Suzuki fruit fly has already been detected.

Recommended Actions:

Implement water conservation strategies and prioritize irrigation for vulnerable crops
Monitor for drought stress symptoms, including leaf rolling and stunted growth
Increase surveillance for pest activity, particularly in orchards and vegetable production
Consider adjusting planting schedules and crop varieties to better match water availability
Apply biological controls proactively rather than waiting for pest threshold breaches

Poland: Storm Damage and Transitional Weather Stress

Environmental Conditions

Poland is experiencing variable weather patterns with temperatures around 22°C and significant rainfall (68-99mm in June). However, the country recently suffered severe storm damage in early June 2025, with over 30,000 people losing electricity due to strong winds, hail, and flooding. These extreme weather events create stress conditions for agricultural systems.

Plant Health Risks and Farmer Actions

Physical Damage and Secondary Infections: Storm damage creates entry points for bacterial and fungal pathogens. Waterlogged conditions followed by warm weather provide ideal conditions for root rot diseases and foliar infections.

Emerging Pathogen Risks: Poland continues monitoring for new bacterial pathogens including 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' in vegetable crops.

Recommended Actions:

Assess storm damage and remove damaged plant material to prevent secondary infections
Apply protective fungicides to wounded plants, particularly in vegetable production
Improve drainage in flood-affected areas to prevent root rot development
Monitor for bacterial wilt symptoms in cucumber and tomato crops
Implement enhanced sanitation protocols in greenhouse and protected cultivation systems

United Kingdom: Extreme Drought Transition to Heat

Environmental Conditions

The UK is experiencing one of the driest springs on record, with only 80.6mm of rainfall recorded through mid-May 2025—potentially the driest spring in over a century. However, forecasts indicate a dramatic shift to "flaming June" conditions with temperatures potentially reaching 30°C. This represents a significant environmental stress transition from drought to potential heat shock.

Plant Health Risks and Farmer Actions

Drought-to-Heat Stress: The transition from severe drought conditions to sudden heat poses multiple risks including thermal shock, accelerated pest development, and increased disease pressure.

Crop Development Issues: Spring-planted crops show patchy emergence and poor tillering due to moisture deficits, making them vulnerable to pest attack.

Recommended Actions:

Prioritize irrigation during the heat transition period to prevent thermal shock
Monitor for heat stress symptoms including leaf scorch and premature senescence
Increase pest monitoring as warmer conditions accelerate insect development cycles
Apply preventive treatments for heat-stressed crops which become more susceptible to disease
Adjust harvest timing expectations as crops may mature earlier under heat stress

Germany: Severe Drought and Agricultural Crisis

Environmental Conditions

Germany faces the most severe drought conditions among the analyzed countries, with spring 2025 potentially becoming the driest since weather recording began in 1931. Rainfall from February to April was 68% below average, with only 40mm recorded compared to the normal 128mm. Soil moisture levels are critically low, particularly in northern and eastern regions.

Plant Health Risks and Farmer Actions

Severe Water Stress: The extreme drought threatens significant yield losses across major crops, including wheat, corn, and sugar beet. Germination and early development of spring-sown crops are severely compromised.

Increased Fire Risk and Pest Pressure: Low moisture conditions increase wildfire risk while concentrating pest populations around remaining green vegetation.

Recommended Actions:

Implement emergency irrigation where possible, prioritizing high-value crops
Monitor for signs of severe water stress including permanent wilting and leaf drop
Adjust fertilization programs as drought-stressed plants cannot effectively utilize nutrients
Prepare for potential pest concentrations as insects seek remaining healthy vegetation
Consider crop insurance claims and alternative land use strategies for severely affected areas
Plan for delayed or reduced harvests and adjust storage and marketing strategies accordingly

Regional Climate Change Implications

Fungal Pathogen Expansion

Research indicates that climate change is enhancing the threat of infection-causing fungi across Europe. Aspergillus species distributions could increase significantly, with A. fumigatus potentially expanding by 77.5% and A. flavus by 16% in Europe. These fungi affect both agricultural crops and pose human health risks.

Insect Pest Migration

Every 1°C rise in temperature could increase insect pest pressure by up to 25%. Beetles, true bugs, moths, and fungi are moving to higher latitudes, while viruses and soil insects shift to lower latitudes. This migration pattern affects all analyzed countries as pest pressures shift northward.

Conclusion

The period of June 11-16, 2025, presents a complex plant health landscape across the European Union, characterized by both explicit alerts in some regions and concerning environmental conditions in others. While fewer formal alerts were issued than might be expected during peak growing season, this does not indicate reduced risk to agricultural systems, but rather reflects a combination of timing factors in official reporting schedules and the development of environmental stresses that create conditions for potential pest and disease outbreaks12. The alerts identified during this period—Greece's comprehensive monitoring across olives, stone fruits, potatoes, and vineyards; Spain's critical quarantine pest declaration for Scirtothrips dorsalis; and France's mandatory disease management deadlines for Flavescence Dorée—represent significant developments requiring immediate farmer attention and regulatory compliance. Simultaneously, other major EU agricultural producers face significant environmental stresses despite not issuing specific alerts during this window, with the combination of extreme drought conditions in Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, heat stress in Italy, and storm damage recovery in Poland creating ideal conditions for various plant health problems. The EU plant health landscape underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance through regular crop monitoring.

References

https://www.minagric.gr/images/stories/docs/nea/GEORGPROEIDOPOIHSEIS/HRAKLEIO/2025/ampeli_160625.pdf

https://www.minagric.gr/images/stories/docs/nea/GEORGPROEIDOPOIHSEIS/HRAKLEIO/2025/patata_120625.pdf

https://www.minagric.gr/images/stories/docs/nea/GEORGPROEIDOPOIHSEIS/THESSALONIKH/2025/rodakinia_120625.pdf

https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/worsening-drought-in-europe-raises-alarms-for-farming-rivers-and-ecosystems/192351/

https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/drought-over-large-parts-europe-raises-concern-2025-05-05_en

https://www.dw.com/en/germany-drought-dry-no-rainfall-agriculture/a-72746010

https://agriculture.basf.com/global/en/media/public-government-affairs/did-you-know/stories/insect-pest

https://healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/study-climate-change-infection-fungi-europe.html

https://www.thuenen.de/en/thuenen-topics/water/water-availability-in-agriculture/spring-drought-in-germany-what-irrigation-can-do

http://gbnews.com/weather/uk-weather-flaming-june-hot-heat-britain-2025

https://www.weather2travel.com/poland/june/