"Establishing the Tree Doctor System"
Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Tree Care Practices
Jeollanam-do, in cooperation with the Korea Forest Service and city and county governments, will conduct intensive inspections of violations related to tree diagnosis until the 30th of this month to ensure the stable establishment of the Tree Doctor System and effective control of tree pests and diseases.
The Tree Doctor System, introduced in June 2018, is a system in which certified tree doctors diagnose sick trees and prescribe or administer treatments, including pesticides.
Except for cases where the state, local governments, or tree owners directly provide tree care, tree diagnosis for trees around living areas such as schools and apartment complexes can only be performed at tree hospitals with certified tree doctors or tree treatment technicians. Violations are subject to fines of up to 5 million won under the Forest Protection Act.
From the introduction of the Tree Doctor System in 2018 until last year, the focus was on guidance and education, but starting this year, full-scale enforcement will be carried out to ensure the stable establishment of the system.
The authorities plan to visit sites where tree diagnosis is being conducted or scheduled and crack down on violations such as: ▲tree care activities at unregistered tree hospitals ▲diagnosis by individuals without proper certification ▲lending of certificates, among others, in order to establish order in tree care practices. In particular, the 59 registered tree hospitals in Jeollanam-do will be checked for compliance with registration requirements and for any illegal business operations during periods of business suspension.
Additionally, the authorities will actively inform those responsible for tree care in living areas such as schools and apartment complexes that tree diagnosis must only be conducted at tree hospitals with certified tree doctors or tree treatment technicians.
Kang Shinhee, Director of Forest Resources at Jeollanam-do, stated, "With the increase in sudden pest and disease outbreaks due to climate change, inappropriate tree care by unqualified individuals can threaten the living environment and public health. We will establish a professional tree care system through the Tree Doctor System and strengthen supervision and management of violations."
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