Bracken Control - Asulam for 2019


For more information see: www.brackencontrol.co.uk 

The application for an Emergency Authorisation (EA) for the 2019 season has been successful. Ministerial consent for the EA was received this morning.

On behalf of the Bracken Control Group, I submitted the application in July and it was considered by the Expert Committee on Pesticides on 25th September.  All the application documents are available on the asulam webpage.

Key dates for 2019:
20 May 2019
Notice of Authorisation published by CRD.
Start of the Emergency Authorisation period of 120 days.
Storage, promotion, sales, and transfer authorised.

1 July 2019
Application of Asulam can commence.

16 September 2019
First expiry date: for sale & distribution of stocks.
Storage and use of stocks can continue.

31 October 2019
Final expiry date: for disposal, storage and use of stocks.
It will be illegal to apply or store Asulam after this date.


The registration process for Asulam under the EU Regulations is continuing its slow passage through the EU system.
  • The application for the registration of Asulam (the chemical) was submitted several years ago but it now appears that the application will not be decided until sometime, next year.
  • If successful, a further application will then be submitted to register Asulox (the product) and this could take up to a further 12 months to be processed.  
If successful, registration will place asulam onto the appropriate schedule of the regulations and allow its use under normal procedures.  In view of the timing of any approval, it is likely that a further EA application will be required to cover the 2020 season.

While there is uncertainty about the future of bracken control, after discussion with a few members of the group, I decided not to hold a meeting of the Bracken Control Group this autumn.  Instead, I am proposing to consider setting up one or more meetings / events in the late spring of next year, which in addition to a meeting, could include practical demonstrations as part of a site visit.  Any suggestions about a suitable location and venue will be gratefully received.


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