Fireblight pest-free area explanatory notes
Updated 4 April 2024
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-passports-application/fireblight-pest-free-area-explanatory-notes
Pest-free areas
Certain areas of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) are free from plant pests that are established in other parts of the country. These areas have been designated ‘pest-free areas’. Plants and plant produce that are hosts of these pests must reach higher plant health standards before entering pest-free areas.
Fireblight pest-free area
A pest-free area for fireblight disease has been established which covers parts of the UK (Jersey). Jersey authorities and Defra regularly update the geographical extent of the areas to take account of changes in distribution of the disease.
Before a plant passport can be issued for entry into the fireblight pest-free area, the professional operator must have produced or maintained the plants in a fireblight buffer zone for at least 2 growing seasons. For example, April in year 1 to October Year 2 (19 months).
Plants (genera) included
Fireblight hosts include plants and parts of plants (other than fruits and seeds) and live pollen for pollination of the following genera:
- Amelanchier
- Chaenomeles
- Cotoneaster
- Crataegus
- Cydonia
- Eriobotrya
- Malus
- Mespilus
- Photinia davidiana
- Pyracantha
- Pyrus
- Sorbus
Nurseries which trade within the fireblight pest-free area can apply for fireblight buffer zone status so they can include fireblight susceptible plants in that trade.
Applications
You can apply for a fireblight buffer zone online or by using the AppAuth form. You’ll need to include agree the buffer zone with the inspector. The fireblight buffer zone must cover at least 50km2, including all land within 1km of the nursery boundary.
APHA will make spot checks of fireblight host plants to the Fireblight buffer zone. You should consider the boundaries of the pest-free area which you are proposing. This includes the:
- distribution of fireblight host plants within the Fireblight buffer zone
- level of co-operation you are likely to receive from land owners and occupiers in keeping the fireblight buffer zone and surrounding area free from fireblight
Inspections and findings of fireblight
APHA will inspect all host plants for symptoms of fireblight:
- within the nursery
- within 250 metres of the nursery boundary at least twice during the growing season
- within 500 metres of the nursery
Any confirmed finding of fireblight within the fireblight buffer zone will invalidate the designation of the pest-free area.
APHA will only give authorisation to issue passports for the fireblight buffer zone after another whole season’s inspections have shown the pest-free area to be free from fireblight again.
Charges for inspections
There’s a time based charge to cover the cost of inspections which is required to establish fireblight pest-free area status. This includes laboratory diagnosis. You can submit an application and get advice from APHA including an estimate of the cost. You can withdraw the application at any time without incurring a charge.
Fireblight buffer zone status is granted annually, subject to these inspections, and you should complete the PHAR 3 application form each season.