Asulam announcement another blow for bracken control

The manufacturer of Asulox, UPL Europe Ltd has announced it will cease further work on a permanent solution to the use of asulam (the active ingredient in Asulox) in the control of bracken. 

Although granted an emergency authorisation for use in England this year, the Scottish and Welsh governments announced in June that Asulox would not be authorised for use in 2023. 

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Chemical Regulatory Division (CRD) previously outlined additional testing that must be conducted by the manufacturers as a requirement for the 2023 Asulox Emergency Authorisation.

UPL Europe Ltd. wrote to the industry stating that ‘after careful consideration, including the significant investment needed to continue this [testing] work, UPL Limited has now taken the difficult decision not to go ahead’.

This decision therefore effectively removes the possibility of any future full or emergency authorisations for the use of asulam in bracken control.

A “real blow” to Welsh farmers 

NFU Cymru rural affairs board chairman Hedd Pugh said the announcement is a “real blow” to Welsh farmers. 

“Bracken control is essential for both animal and human health on my farm, as well as many others in Wales. It maintains land for grazing, ensures drinking water quality and fosters biodiversity. Bracken beds provide an ideal habitat for sheep ticks, with the associated tick-borne diseases posing a threat to the health of people (especially Lyme disease), livestock and wildlife. 

“Bracken control is also essential in the establishment of new tree plantations. Remaining options for control include the use of herbicides containing amidosulfron within specific timeframes, and mechanical methods such as rolling, bruising or cutting. However such mechanical methods are often unviable in many situations on steep rocky slopes, of which there are plenty in Wales.”

An increasing threat in Scotland

NFU Scotland, meanwhile, said that in the absence of any other viable alternative, the ban will consign some of Scotland’s hillside to monocultures of tick-laden nature-depleted bracken, which has ramifications for farmers, crofters, rural communities, human health, and biodiversity.

Chair of NFU Scotland’s Environment and Land Use Committee, Peter Douglas, said: “Scotland’s farmers and crofters are facing an uphill battle to control existing stands of bracken and prevent further rapid spread from robbing Scottish hillsides of quality grazing for animals and vital habitats for wildlife.”

Describing the news as a “major disappointment”, he said the threat, spread and impact of bracken across Scotland’s hills and uplands is increasing every day.

“There are non-chemical methods of control available such as bruising, cutting or rolling. However, on many hill farms, bracken is on land that is too steep or rocky for ground-based vehicles to reach. Attempting non-chemical methods would be an unacceptable health and safety risk and aerial spraying is the only viable option.”

The NFU, NFU Cymru and NFU Scotland will continue to meet with the Bracken Control Group to discuss next steps in relation to bracken and its control. Mr Douglas believes a more resilient and strategic approach is needed for the long term, but a viable control strategy is also essential in the short term.