Two fire blight controlling products face phase out

Two of the most widely used tools over the past 30 years for the control of fire blight in apples and pears, oxytetracycline (tetracycline) and streptomycin, are on the verge of being eliminated from use by organic growers of these fruit crops. Oxytetracycline and streptomycin are marketed by several companies, including AgroSource, Inc. (FireLine 17 WP, FireWall, respectively).

Both tetracycline and streptomycin have been allowed by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) for the control of fire blight in organic apple and pear orchards since 2000. At their next bi-annual meeting on April 26-29 in Seattle, WA, however, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will vote individually whether to end USDA-NOP approval of tetracycline and streptomycin for use by organic apple and pear growers for fire blight control. These votes will be final.

Under an epidemic fire blight year, the loss of oxytetracycline and streptomycin for organic apple and/or pear growers could have devastating consequences. Yet even without severe fire blight pressure, the loss of oxytetracycline and streptomycin will force many organic pome fruit growers to switch back to conventional production simply because the risk of facing a fire blight epidemic without them is too great. Consequently, the net result of a decision to eliminate streptomycin and tetracycline from the USDA-NOP National List will likely be a significant reduction in the amount of organic apples and pears produced in the U.S.

The NOSB has made provision for individuals to make in-person public comments (limited to 5 minutes) at the Seattle meeting. Written comments are also being accepted by the NOSB. Unless apple and/or pear growers, especially organic growers, provide a significant measure of positive input on this issue, tetracycline and streptomycin will be eliminated from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for control of fire blight in organic apple and pear orchards, effective October 21, 2012.