The government adopted an action plan to protect the wine sector

István Nagy announced on his social media page that a decisive, rapid and coordinated protection action plan has been prepared against the spreading grape disease. The presence of golden yellows has been confirmed in 13 of the 19 counties, particularly affecting Zala and the Balaton area. It is not dangerous to humans, and it does not get into the wine, but it causes extreme damage to the grapes. There is no known cure for it, and it can only be controlled by taking action against the pathogen’s transmitter, the American grapevine cicada, he emphasized.

The minister explained that a nationwide investigation is beginning as part of an action plan consisting of several measures. The National Council of Mountain Communities (HNT) is organizing plant health inspection teams, which will visit plantations across the country, and laboratory capacities are being expanded in order to effectively evaluate samples.

A decision was also made to authorize mountain judges to eradicate infected vineyards more quickly. The use of infection-free, domestically produced, certified propagation material is also encouraged, and the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) is urgently examining applications from potential plant protection companies, he said.

István Nagy emphasized that the protection of grapes is not only an economic, but also a tourist and national interest, so grape growers can count on the government. “Together, we can protect vineyards more effectively than ever before,” he added.