Emergency Authorisation Approval to use Asulam for Bracken Control in 2021

Emergency Authorisation Approval to use Asulam for Bracken Control in 2021

Bracken
Katharine Johnston
Friday 6 August 2021 - 16:52

Following the ending of the approval to use Asulam for bracken control on 31 December 2012, temporary annual arrangements have been put in place to allow the use of Asulam to continue.

Approval is subject to the terms set out in Emergency Authorisation’s (EA) granted by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the Health & Safety Executive. EA approval has been issued allowing Asulam products to be used in 2021, so anyone planning to undertake work must study the approval document carefully.

Key points to note:

  • Aerial application is approved subject to a 90m wide no-spray buffer zone against surface water bodies.

  • Ground-based application is authorised but restricted to areas included in a Bracken Control Plan in AECS or on designated sites, where NatureScot has consented to the work. Full details are in the Authorisation document.

  • Livestock must be removed from areas to be treated and must not be allowed to return until at least 1 month after treatment.

A copy of the revised Product Label for the 2021 season, which will be issued with all containers of Asulox, is available to download. Further information is also available on the Bracken Control Group website, which provides updates, guidance and also lists bracken control contractors.

Should you wish to be kept up-to-date with news regarding bracken control and future EA’s, there is a Bracken Control Group newsletter you can sign up to at: https://www.brackencontrol.co.uk/news

 

Requirement to complete an Asulam Application Record                                                    

The EA approval document contains data and information requirements that must be submitted to the regulator, CRD of the HSE.

UPL, who manufacture Asulam, will be distributing information with the product, alongside a recording form. This form MUST be completed for every site where bracken control with Asulam is being undertaken this year. There are several ways to complete the form:

  1. Use the online form. This is the preferred method to provide the information, as it is loaded straight into a spreadsheet

  2. A Word version that can be completed on a PC / Mac computer (but not on a tablet) and returned as an e-mail attachment to info@brackencontrol.co.uk

The support of everyone who applies Asulam to provide this information is essential. The provision of this information to CRD is a prerequisite to securing the future use of Asulam for bracken control.

 

Future EA Approval

From the detail in the EA this year, any land where Asulam will be used in future, may have to gather pre and post treatment survey data for birds, mammals and non-target plant species. If this is the case, further detail of survey requirements will be provided prior to the next spraying season.