Moroccan City Bans Olive Trees Citing Allergy Concerns

By Olive Oil Times Staff

Sep. 22, 2014 11:10 UTC

Summary

Oujda, Morocco has implemented a ban on olive trees due to allergy risks from the pollen, with the city planning to remove any trees not taken down by December 31 and bill the owners. The city’s mayor, Omar Hijra, hopes that residents will replant or sell the trees outside city limits, as the operation could take up to five years to complete.

Oujda, a city in northeastern Morocco, has put forth a sweeping ban on olive trees citing allergy risks from the trees’ pollen. The city’s mayor, Omar Hijra, who is also a pharmacist, said that olive trees are one of the top causes of the seasonal annoyance. The trees account for up to 90 percent of all greenery in some areas of the city.

If trees are not removed by December 31, the city will take it upon itself to remove the trees and bill the owner, even if the plant is located on private property. The municipality hopes that owners will replant or sell the trees outside city limits.

Oujda, a city of around 500,000, is close to the Algerian border and about 55 km from the Mediterranean sea.

According to Hijra, a large percentage of residents approve of the measure. He says that the operation could take up to five years due to the vast number of plants in the city.

Morocco produced approximately 100,000 tons of table olives this season and 15,000 tons of olive oil.