Question reference: S6W-17970
- Date lodged: 15 May 2023
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Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 25 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) other UK administrations, (b) Health and Safety Executive and (c) stakeholders regarding alternatives to Asulox as a bracken control measure going forward.
Answer
Scottish Government officials meet regularly with counterparts from other UK administrations and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the UK regulator, on general pesticide policy and specific points of interest. Sustainable methods for the control of bracken and the 2023 application for the Emergency Authorisation of Asulox has been regularly discussed at these meetings.
Stakeholders have the opportunity to raise and discuss pesticide issues, including bracken control, at the quarterly Pesticide Stakeholder Group meeting with Scottish Government officials. I regularly attend these meetings and bracken control has been discussed. The Scottish Government also continues to listen to views presented by the Bracken Control Group (BCG), and other stakeholders, on appropriate methods for the future control of bracken.