European Commission plans to ban a key bracken control chemical were blocked yesterday by a number of member states, including the UK.
This was the second time in recent weeks that the Commission has tried to ban asulam, which is marketed in the UK as Asulox, under the EU’s pesticide legislation.
Member state experts on the SCoFCA committee (Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health) again echoed NFU concerns – that the loss of asulam, the only product approved for aerial application, would lead to serious bracken control problems.
Although the decision is another welcome reprieve, it will not overturn the proposal completely and the final decision will be taken by an appeal committee over the coming months.
NFU plant health spokesman Paul Chambers said: “Without effective means of control, bracken encroachment once again becomes a real issue.
“Unchecked bracken growth gives rise to a whole host of difficulties including negative impacts on biodiversity as well as public and animal health issues arising from the toxicity and carcinogenic nature of the plant and the fact that it can act as a habitat for disease carrying ticks.
“We are encouraged that our message seems to be hitting home after an increased blocking minority in SCoFCAH yesterday, but we must not become complacent.
“We will continue to lobby EU officials and Member State experts through our Brussels office to achieve a positive result in the Appeal Committee and keep asulam on the market.”
For more from our Brussels team, click here.
Visit our animal and plant health pages here.
No comments have been made.