Chemical controls

Published on 22/08/2012 00:00

I WAS delighted to read in the Farming section (21 August) that common sense is beginning to prevail about supporting ways to continue the supply of asulam in spite of the European ban on this chemical, which offers the only effective large-scale method of controlling bracken currently available for use in upland 
Britain.

Asulam is the only selective herbicide, currently available, for bracken control. Its use causes minimal damage to other species, and it is the only chemical licensed for application by helicopter.

That is essential for control of bracken in upland areas where access by machinery on the ground is not possible.

Bracken is an invasive species. An increase in coverage or density will be at the expense of other more sensitive upland and moorland species, of which heather is one of the most significant.

Politicians and the Chemicals Regulation Directorate must be encouraged to keep up pressure to ensure that asulam use can continue in the intervening period when re-registration is 
pursued.

Without asulam, we do not have a weapon to fight this invasive weed species.

Rob Marrs

The Heather Trust

Bulley Professor of Applied Plant Biology

University of Liverpool