Approval of asulox/asulam for bracken control urgently required by land managers

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has joined other rural stakeholders in asking the Scottish Government to permit the use of Asulox/Asulam in Scotland for the control of bracken as urgently as possible.

Writing to Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon and Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater this week, SLE has said authorisation needs to be provided quickly before the window of opportunity to tackle the growth of bracken is missed.

Bracken is a significant issue for farmers and land managers, harbouring ticks, making access and livestock husbandry more difficult, and creating an additional wildfire risk once the season has passed in the late summer.

There are currently limited alternatives to the use of Asulox/Asulam but stakeholders and research and development communities are currently working together to identify a suitable, cost-effective alternative for the medium to long term control of bracken which can ultimately replace Asulox.

Dee Ward, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates said:

“As in previous years, we have written to the Scottish Government requesting that authorisation for the use of Asulox/Asulam for bracken control in Scotland be granted as soon as possible.

“We are aware a new “four nations approach” to authorisation is now in place, but this cannot be used as a reason for delaying a decision this year. It is absolutely vital that land managers are permitted to use this chemical in Scotland during this year’s bracken season. Without speedy action to authorise Asulox/Asulam, we will miss this year’s season, a vital window for the control of ticks, and face even more tenacious coverage of bracken next year.

“There are limited alternatives and although we would like to see eco-friendly alternatives in the future, it remains important that we have this tool available against a fast-spreading plant which if left uncontrolled, results in young trees being overwhelmed. In upland areas, other techniques such as cutting are simply not practical or affordable.

“We have also urged the government to publish the review detailed in the minutes of the meeting of the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides held 14 March 2023. The review was commissioned to understand the implications of not controlling bracken with Asulox/Asulam in Scotland on biodiversity, rural productivity and public health, for rough grazing, upland/moorland, amenity grassland and native and commercial woodlands. This work will provide clear detail on evidence gaps and can be starting point for the creation of a comprehensive and necessary bracken control action plan.”