A ban on asulam, the key chemical used to control bracken in the UK, has been averted for the time being after six EU member states opposed the plans.
The chemical, marketed as Asulox, is currently being reviewed under existing European pesticide legislation and the EU Commission was recommending non-inclusion ahead of a meeting last week.
That would have meant no asulam-based products would be available after 2012, a prospect which caused consternation in the UK due to the lack of alternative control methods.
A vote was scheduled at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health – but was shelved after the formation of a blocking minority of six member states including the UK.
Further discussions are taking place and at the moment there are a number of potential outcomes.
The NFU continues to lobby strongly for the retention of this key herbicide.
Other opponents of a ban are Spain, France, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Ireland.
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