Grape growers can count on the government

The Minister said that golden yellows is one of the most dangerous pathogens of grapes, but it is completely harmless to human health. In the event of infection, the yield of grapes can be reduced by up to 20-50 percent. The disease is mainly spread by the American grapevine cicada, so the spread of golden yellows can be slowed down by controlling the pest, so the Ministry of Agriculture asks affected farmers to comply with plant protection rules. The American grapevine cicada, which has been present for almost 20 years, has spread rapidly in Hungary, but official plant health measures over the past 12 years have slowed it down significantly.

The Minister of Agriculture added that the presence of the infection has currently been detected in 15 wine regions in 13 counties

It mainly affects the counties of western and southern Hungary, especially the Zala wine region. Investigations are ongoing throughout the country, carried out by plant protection experts from the county government offices. István Nagy highlighted that, based on the current rules, the owner of the infected plantation can request reimbursement from the state of 80 percent of the direct costs of the compulsory measures ordered by the authority (protection, cutting out infected vines). Support can be requested for plant health protection in vineyards to combat the American grapevine borer. In order to expand the support, our country initiated in Brussels that 100 percent support for the costs of protection against the spread of golden yellows in grapes should be included in the available EU grape and wine sector support. The initiative received positive feedback from the Council, and the relevant legislation is expected to be published by the end of this year. The Minister of Agriculture thanked the “Grape Phytoplasma Winegrowers Group” established by the National Council of Mountain Villages, the relevant mountain village organizations, and the Veszprém County Phytomedical Chamber for its constructive suggestions on the subject. We agree with the goals and will do everything in our power to expand the legal framework for protection and ensure its financial background.

The Ministry of Agriculture is asking farmers to be extra careful, as early recognition of the disease is very important

The early signs of the infection are that the leaves become spoon-shaped towards the back, drift in a triangular shape, and the leaves of white wine grape varieties turn yellow and die in spots. In the case of blue grape varieties, redness can be observed between the leaf veins, while the main veins remain green. The leaves harden like paper and then fall off. The shoots do not become woody, the canes thin, become rubbery, and often take on a drooping shape reminiscent of weeping willow. In addition, the internodes shorten, the berries become dry, have a bad taste, and have a low sugar but high acid content. We therefore ask grape growers to constantly check their plantations. István Nagy drew the attention of farmers to the fact that suspected infection must be reported to the Nébih or the plant protection department of the competent government office. After sampling, if the laboratory result shows a positive result, the authority will order a phytosanitary quarantine and the affected vines must be destroyed.

AM