NPL has said it will no longer support further research into asulam
Farming unions in the UK have expressed their dismay after it was confirmed a key plant protection product will no longer be available to support farmers' efforts to control bracken.
UPL Europe, the manufacturers of Asulox, has announced it is to withdraw from carrying out further work on a permanent solution that would support the use of asulam in the future.
The move has been described as 鈥榓 blow' by NFU Cymru and marks the end of 12 years of emergency authorisation after it was taken out of general use in 2012.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Chemical Regulatory Division (CRD) had previously demanded additional testing be conducted by the manufacturers as a requirement for the 2023 Asulox Emergency Authorisation.
However, UPL Europe has now written to the industry and stated 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."
Simon Thorp, co-ordinator of the Bracken Control Group said that while the decision was 'disappointing', it had not come as a surprise. The challenge now, he said, was to decide how to best help farmers tackle bracken control.
"There are other products but there is no immediate alternative," he said. "Many chemicals are too dangerous and while they will succeed in killing the bracken, they would also destroy everything else too.
"We will now be talking to all stakeholders to find out where we can go from here. We have looked for something that is both safe and effective and we will go on looking."
According to NFU Cymru and NFU Scotland the decision effectively removes the possibility of any future full or emergency authorisations for the use of asulam in bracken control.
Chair of NFU Scotland's Environment and Land Use Committee, Peter Douglas said 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.
See also: Industry accuses Scottish Government of 'hardening' its green agenda
"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," Mr Douglas said.
"In the face of there being no viable control alternative to Asulox, the position taken by the Scottish Government in June was a major disappointment, particularly when the product did receive emergency authorisation in England.
"The potential for emergency reauthorisation of Asulox in 2024 to be successful relied on the support and evidence that UPL would have provided.听 This will mean that there will be no Asulox available for bracken control in 2024 and beyond.
"This is disappointing, as the threat, spread and impact of bracken across Scotland's hills and uplands is increasing every day," he said.
Disappointing
NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board chair Hedd Pugh said: "This 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."
Mr Pugh said the only other options open to Welsh farmers - such as rolling, bruising or cutting are 鈥榰nviable' owing to Wales' landscape. While听Mr Douglas said attempting non-chemical methods would be an 'unacceptable health and safety risk and aerial spraying is the only viable option.'
This is disappointing news, but the bracken threat is not going away, and without the controlling influence of asulam, it is likely to increase.
The will now hold a meeting for the sector representatives on October 31 which it said will provide an opportunity to discuss what happens next.
