The price of olive oil is expected to rocket after the EU ordered the felling of millions of trees infected with a deadly microbe . Brussels has recommended that about 11million olive trees in southern Italy , many centuries old , be chopped down . They have been infected with Xylella fastidiosa , a bacterium spread by an aphid . The disease , first identified in the Americas has already wiped out a million trees in Salento , southern Puglia . Olive trees in southern Puglia in Italy . The EU has recommended that 11million trees be cut down after they were found to be infected with a deadly microbe . It is feared that unless drastic action is taken to fell the groves , the bacterium will spread to other olive-producing regions of Italy such as Tuscany and Umbria , and even to other Mediterranean countries . Xylella fastidiosa can also infect vines , almond trees and other crops . Puglia , a region in the heel of Italy , produces about 11million tons of olives a year , more than a third of the national crop , and they are used to make some of the country ’ s best oils . If the trees are destroyed , it could effect production and send the prices of olive oil soaring . The initial area to be culled is 20,000 acres – about 30 sq miles – between Lecce to Brindisi . It contains around 11million trees , according to Unaprol , the largest consortium of growers . Many of Italy ’ s oldest olive groves , some dating back 500 years , have been infected by the bacterium , which causes plants to shrivel , leaving them incapable of bearing fruit . The effect on production will mean shortages in the supply of olive oil and is likely to lead to higher prices for shoppers in Britain and around the world . Vytenis Andriukaitis , the European Commissioner for Food Safety and Security , said he was ‘ profoundly concerned by the gravity of the situation ’ . He added : ‘ We have to take decisive measures with immediate effect . Naturally it is very painful for the growers but it is necessary to remove all the affected trees , it is the most effective measure. ’ A committee will meet on Thursday next week to rubber stamp the directive , which growers fear will create a desert in the area as it will not be possible to replant it with olive groves . Popular singer and olive producer Albano Carrisi said culling the trees is ‘ cruel ’ and ‘ useless ’ . He said : ‘ Do not disfigure our beautiful Puglia . Puglia without olives is like the Vatican without cardinals ’ . Gianni Cantele , president of one Puglia producers ’ consortium , Coldiretti , said it was ‘ a natural disaster ’ .
The EU has recommended that 11million Italian olive trees be cut down . Comes after a deadly microbe spread by insects was discovered in them . Fears that unless they are destroyed it will spread to other areas of Brussels . Some of the trees that might have to be chopped down are centuries old .