Question reference: S6W-14577
- Date lodged: 31 January 2023
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 15 February 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the anticipated impact on (a) public health, particularly in relation to cases of Lyme disease and (b) biodiversity and the wider environment, of its decision to cease funding for chemical or mechanised control of bracken through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme.
Answer
To maximise the benefits of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) in mitigating climate change, the 2023 round will target support for agri-environment, organics and slurry storage applications. This approach will focus on enabling options within the scheme, offering support to as wide a number of beneficiaries as possible. As a result, some elements have been suspended including public funding for the mechanised and chemical control of bracken.
Manual bracken control continues to be offered, and this is often the preferred treatment method on species rich grassland and other habitats offering high biodiversity value.
Those with existing AECS contracts or new contracts, following the 2022 AECS awards announced on 19 January 2023, which contain bracken control through chemical and mechanical means will continue to be supported.
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that Lyme disease remains a focus for our work. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders and clinicians through both the Awareness Raising and Health Professionals Education Sub-Groups.