Professor Rob Marrs, from the University of Liverpool’s School of Environmental Sciences, said: “Bracken is one of the most invasive weeds worldwide and it is a particular problem in the UK, especially in the uplands. At present most wide-scale efforts to control this species involves the use of a selective herbicide – asulam, which is often applied from the air by helicopter.
“The EC Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) completed a review of asulam, so that it might continue to be registered for use within the EU. The review took into consideration concerns about food safety, as identified by the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA), linked to asulam use on food crops, and on spinach in particular. The matter was referred to an Appeals Committee this week, which ruled that asulum could not be used in the EU.
“In the UK, asulam is the most appropriate choice of a herbicide for use in upland Britain.
It is approved for helicopter application and can be applied over rugged terrain. Asulum is selective and therefore it can be used where there are other plant species, and most will be unaffected. Its main use is on non-crop land where there is no possibility of it affecting food crops and especially spinach.
“It is one of the most effective weapons for bracken control and there is currently no substitute available that is approved for aerial use. It is predicted that there will be a reduction in bracken control, which will lead to increased land under dense bracken and loss of upland sheep and cattle grazing.”