NFUS meets with UPL to discuss key bracken control product
NFU Scotland has met with pesticide manufacturer United Phosphorus Ltd (UPL) to map out the short and long term availability of Scotland’s main bracken control product, Asulam.
A decision, taken in Brussels last week, means that sale and supply of the crucial bracken control agent Asulam should end on 31 December 2011 and stocks of the product must be used by 31 December 2012.
Such is the importance of Asulam to hill farmers in fighting bracken spread that NFU Scotland is committed to working with the manufacturer, Government and other stakeholders on securing a national emergency authorisation for Asulam. If successful, this would allow Asulam to be available for four months annually although exact details of use have to be set.
At a very productive meeting in York yesterday (Thursday, 29 September) UPL reiterated its commitment to taking the necessary steps that will keep Asulam available in the EU and its willingness to work with stakeholders to minimise disruption caused by the EU decision.
Speaking after the meeting, NFU Scotland Policy Manager Andrew Bauer said:
“This was a highly productive meeting which mapped out the short-term and long-term action needed to ensure that Asulam continues to be available to control bracken and keep our hills and uplands clear.
“All producers who propose to use Asulam in the 2012 season should contact their aerial applicator, ground contractor, or distributor by the end of October this year. This is to ensure that there is sufficient time for orders to be placed and received before the 31st December 2011 deadline.
“Our understanding is that orders for Asulam do not need to be paid for by the 31st December 2011 deadline. It is sufficient for an order to have been placed, an invoice received, and the stock to be clearly marked as such. Before placing an order, it is worth bearing in mind that all stock must be used up or disposed of by an authorised disposal company well before 31st December 2012.
“In the long-term, UPL and the stakeholders are committed to working together to secure a 120 day emergency national authorisation for the 2013 season, and all subsequent seasons until full EU re-authorisation for Asulam can be achieved. Both Defra and the Chemicals Regulation Directorate indicated that such an application - provided it met the necessary criteria and had the strong support of stakeholders - stood a very good chance of success.”
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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006