Abstract: Instituto Superior de Agronomia SAPI Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal)Pine wilt disease, caused by the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was first reported in Portugal in 1999. Since its detection in Portugal the direct control against pine wood nematode has been done mainly by heat treatment (HT), fumigation with methyl bromide (MB) as well as removing and burning the affected trees. Recently, a new official publication referring to the Heat Treatment Control Measures defined the requirements in order to certify the control against B. xylophilus in softwood sawn timber, pallets and other packages.The same publication also refers the requirements to affixing the efficacy of treatment by the traders. At the moment there are 233 registered companies for the HT use. Fumigations are made with MB and there are four companies registered to do it. Following the ratification of the Montreal Protocol by the Portuguese Government, in 17/10/1988, and the EU reevaluation of the active substances the MB can only be used until 19/9/2010. With the adoption of the Directive 91/414/EEC, the European Commission launched the work programme of wide review for all substances used in plant protection products within the EU. This review process aims to evaluate each substance considering their safety use with respect to: （1） human health (consumers, farmers, local residents and passersby). （2） the environment (in particular groundwater and nontarget organisms, such as birds, mammals, earthworms, bees) and concerning: a) all the substances currently on the market in 15 July 1991 (when this Directive was adopted); b) the new substances proposed to admission by the industry, from July 1993 onwards. As result of this process, from the 1 219 active ingredients in the E U market only 340 have been approved (included in the Annex 1 of Directive 91/414/EEC), 61 are still pending and 797 were removed from the market because their use was not safe for human health and the environment. At the moment, there is any nematicide authorized in Portugal against B. xylophylus, except the MB particular case. MB is classified as a “high risk” active substance and can only be used in quarantine and preshipment situations. Sulfuryl fluoride, which is already in the EU market and with its status under Directive 91/414/EEC “pending”, could be a technical alternative to MB. Abamectin, emamectin benzoate and milbemectin, referred as effective in B. xylophylus control are three possible options to considered as trunkinjection treatments. Abamectin and milbemectin have already been reevaluated and “included” in the Annex 1 while emamectin benzoate status under the same Directive is “pending”.