EU takes Italy to court over Xylella plant disease

Italy has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failure to comply with clean air regulations, the European Commission said in a statement on Thursday in which it said it is "standing up for Europeans' need to breathe clean air".

In a separate statement out Thursday, the Commission said it is referring Italy to the EU Court for "failing to adequately prevent the further spread" of the Xylella plant bacteria after a 2013 outbreak of the highly contagious disease in olive trees in the southern Puglia region in the heel of Italy's boot.

Puglia farmers have engaged in a battle with the EU to prevent the infected olive trees -- some of which are hundreds of years old -- from being destroyed.

Xylella causes a variety of diseases, including plant withering and death, with huge economic impact for agriculture, public gardens and the environment. Elsewhere in Europe, Xylella has been found in fruit trees and ornamental plants such as oleanders, according to the European Commission.

Read more at Xinhua (Stefania Fumo)