Are we finally going to take action? That is the question being asked, or rather ranted, after the probable detection in the Mediterranean (more specifically in the Algarve, Portugal) of a first focal outbreak of the most devastating form of citrus greening. The danger zone in this case covers the entire Mediterranean Basin, the world’s number one citrus export centre. Just like the Chernobyl fallout, the greening bacterium knows no borders. The economic and social stakes are high, as illustrated in full-scale and in vivo by the Floridian citrus industry, dealt a fatal blow by the disease, and at risk of losing its 185 000 ha cultivation area, 62 000 jobs and 5 billion dollars of economic benefits, despite the colossal efforts of professionals and the administration. The consequences would of course be far greater in the Mediterranean, on top of which there would be issues of depopulation of fragile zones, and the absence of an alternative produce providing similar added value. The nutritional stakes too are high, with the Mediterranean supplying in addition to its local markets nearly two-thirds of citruses — the main source of vitamin C — sold worldwide. Those who for years have been sounding the alarm have been heard politely; yet there is not even a rough draft for a Mediterranean epidemic monitoring network, so necessary and so inexpensive in view of the stakes. All the structures directly or indirectly involved in this industry have been found wanting during the prevention phase; there is still time for them to make amends now that the moment for action has arrived.
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