Euro ban could blanket Scotland in bracken

A proposed European Commission ban on a chemical vital for controlling the spread of bracken could see Scotlands moorlands disappear under a blanket of ferns, Struan Stevenson MEP has warned.

Scottish Conservative Mr Stevenson and fellow Scottish MEP George Lyon have written a joint letter to Europe’s Health Commissioner, John Dalli, asking him to intervene to stop the European Commission from banning Asulam (Asulox), one of only a handful of chemicals widely used in Scotland for bracken control.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has raised concerns about the use of Asulam on spinach. Now, the EU’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, which meets on Thursday and Friday this week (10th and 11th March) will recommend a complete ban.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Struan Stevenson commented:

Asulam is the most cost-effective and selective control agent for bracken on Scottish moors. A ban would have a serious impact on farmers’ ability to keep bracken in check. Uncontrolled growth of bracken can completely smother grazing, encourage parasites like ticks and create major problems for livestock and humans.

If the European Commission wishes to ban the use of Asulam for spinach and other food crops then so be it. But an outright ban which removes this key control agent from the market is disproportionate and will have a bigger impact on Scotland than any other EU country.

I hope Commissioner Dalli will heed our advice and avoid this unnecessary ban”