The emerald ash borer, a devastating insect for ash forests, has been found for the first time in the EU, in Hungary and Slovakia.

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), an invasive insect native to Asia, has been recently observed in the European Union, particularly in Hungary and Slovakia.

The presence of this metallic green beetle has been confirmed in the Beregsurany region of Hungary, where two specimens were captured in a trap. This insect has caused significant damage to ash forests in North America and Eastern Europe. In Slovakia, 18 adult specimens have been captured, and authorities have initiated a study to assess the extent of its spread.

Hungary has included the issue of the emerald ash borer on the agenda of an emergency meeting in Brussels, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the need to prevent the spread of this pest throughout the European Union.

The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, Szabolcs Bona, stated that efforts are being made to prevent its establishment in the country.