Fire blight disease was confirmed for the first time this year in apple orchards in Chungju and pear orchards in Cheonan. Fire blight is a bacterial disease designated as a prohibited pest in Korea, mainly occurring in Rosaceae plants such as apples and pears. When infected, leaves, flowers, branches, stems, and fruits turn reddish-brown or black as if burned by fire and show symptoms of withering.
On the 13th, the Rural Development Administration announced on the 14th that fire blight disease was confirmed for the first time this year in one apple orchard (0.4 ha) in Chungju, Chungbuk, and one pear orchard (0.5 ha) in Cheonan, Chungnam. In response, related organizations such as provincial agricultural technology centers and city/county agricultural technology centers, along with farmers, are cooperating to carry out emergency control measures.
Additionally, to prevent further spread of fire blight, thorough preventive monitoring (surveillance) will be conducted on all orchards within 2 km of the outbreak sites until the 17th.
Access to the orchards where fire blight has been confirmed is currently restricted to outsiders. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency is conducting an epidemiological investigation to identify the cause of the outbreak, the route of spread, and the possibility of future occurrences.
With the first occurrence of fire blight this year, the Rural Development Administration has raised the crisis alert level from 'interest' to 'caution' and is operating an emergency response situation room. On the 16th, a countermeasure meeting will be held with agricultural technology centers from nine provinces to inspect the surveillance and control status of fire blight in apple and pear orchards nationwide, export complexes, and nurseries.
Since the first domestic occurrence of fire blight in 2015 (Anseong, Cheonan, Jecheon), it has occurred cumulatively in 34 cities and counties, affecting 2,189 farms and 1,163.7 hectares by 2023. Compensation for damages amounted to 230.6 billion KRW. After peaking in 2020 with 744 farms and 394.4 hectares affected, the incidence has been declining.
Chae Eui-seok, head of the Disaster Response Division at the Rural Development Administration, said, "Based on weather analysis from last year to April this year, special attention is required, so we are promoting rapid control through precise surveillance." He urged, "Farmers cultivating apples and pears should also follow preventive measures and immediately contact the agricultural technology center or the designated reporting phone number if they notice any suspected symptoms of fire blight."
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