Control and monitoring: eradication of Plum pox virus in Switzerland

In 1967, sharka disease ( Plum pox virus ; PPV) was detected for the first time in Switzerland. By the end of the 1970s, the disease was considered as eradicated after a rigorous campaign of survey and eradication. Since then, periodical inspections and random testing of imported plants and young orchards have been performed by Swiss plant protection services. This permitted the detection of outbreaks of PPV in 2004. Consequently, a new survey and eradication campaign began.