Written question WQ90146
- Asked by
- Delyth JewellPlaid
- To be answered by
- Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
Will the Government be issuing guidance for land managers on the non-chemical control of bracken in light of the Welsh Government’s refusal of an emergency derogation for the herbicide Asulox this year, and the subsequent announcement that Asulox will no longer be available for bracken control as of 2024?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Robust regulation of chemical pesticides is essential to protect human health and accelerate action on the nature crisis. In relation to the decision to refuse an emergency authorisation for use of Asulox in Wales in 2023 I considered the expert advice of the Health and Safety Executive and was content with their decision to refuse the application.
Sustainable bracken control can be achieved using mechanical methods such as ploughing, cutting, bruising or rolling, although Welsh Government recognises mechanical control may not be the quickest, most cost effective or most appropriate method in all circumstances. There are two alternative pesticide products approved for bracken control in GB where chemical control is deemed more appropriate than mechanical control.
A working group has been established to develop Bracken Management Guidance and a framework as part of a UK-wide approach which will be published in 2024.