The emergency authorisation to use asulam to control bracken was approved on 10th June by the relevant bodies for the 2021 season.
Bracken (Pteridium aquilinium) is a perennial plant that has an impressive invasive ability to spread through rhizomes under the ground, such that increases in land cover of around 3% per annum are not uncommon. Estimates of bracken ground cover vary between 900km2 (4.3%) and 1200km2 (5.3%) of Wales’ land mass.
Those planning to apply asulam products for bracken control this year must study the approval documents carefully.
Key points:
- 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 conservation areas only, and the use in these areas must be under the direction of the relevant conservation body. See the full details 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.
Key dates:
- 10th June 2021 - Storage, promotion, sales and transfer authorised
- 1st July 2021 - Application of asulam can commence
- 13th September 2021 - Expiry date for sale and distribution and use of stocks. Storage of stocks can continue and stocks can be moved for disposal. Asulam cannot be applied after this date.
- 31st October 2021 - Expiry date for storage and disposal of stocks. It will be illegal to store asulam after this date.
Natural Resources Wales believes that there is no other product currently available to provide a suitable alternative to asulam for effective chemical bracken control in Wales.
For full details, guidance and application documents, please click here.