France sees first outbreak of the pinewood nematode

On November 4th 2025, the pinewood nematode (PWN) was officially noted as present for the first time in France. The outbreak is located at the southern edge of the Landes Forest, the largest planted forest of pine in Europe (about 10,000 km² or 1 million hectares), mainly composed of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), which is the most PWN-susceptible European pine species.

A demarcated zone was immediately created, including an infested zone of 500 m around the 15 infested trees and a buffer zone (20 km in radius) around the infested trees. In compliance with European Regulation 2012/535/EU, it was decided to clear-cut the infested zone.

Enhanced surveillance is also being implemented in the buffer zone, within which maritime pine plantations cover about 360 km² or 36,000 hectares. In the same zone, forest works and wood transport are restricted and subject to agreement by national authorities.

French research teams participating in the FORSAID project are conducting fieldwork in the area affected by the PWN in order to improve detection and surveillance methods based on DNA analysis, remote sensing coupled with AI and modelling of insect vector dispersal. You can find out more about this nematode species and the project's efforts to address its spread here.