By unlocking the export potential China offers the pig industry, not to mention the red meat sector as a whole, we could gain entry into a marketplace which comprises a fifth of the world’s population.Asulox ban threatens upland grazing
THE European Commission is set to ban a chemical vital for control of bracken, threatening the future of grazing on upland farms across the UK.
The proposal to ban Asulam (Asulox) - one of only a handful of chemicals available for bracken control - will be discussed by the EU’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) which meets today (Thursday, March 10).
Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson and fellow Scottish MEP George Lyon have slammed the plans, writing to Health Commissioner John Dali asking him to reconsider.
Mr Stevenson said: “Asulam is the most cost-effective and selective control agent for bracken on Scottish moors. A ban would have a serious impact on farmers’ ability to keep bracken in check. Uncontrolled growth of bracken can completely smother grazing, encourage parasites like ticks and create major problems for livestock and humans.
“If the European Commission wishes to ban the use of Asulam for spinach and other food crops then so be it. But an outright ban which removes this key control agent from the market is disproportionate and will have a bigger impact on Scotland than any other EU country.”
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Readers' comments (1)
KEITH WALL | 24 April 2011 5:37 pm
The land beyond my garden under my ownership contains bracken which has always threatened to engulf everything in its path. I gave the advancing bracken a sprayed dose of Asulox last year and am hoping this will have been effective. It is too early in the year to know yet. However, Asulox is reputed to be virtually the only commercially useful product around, and as such should not be banned - particularly by persons outside this isle of ours. A control protecting foodstuffs is all that is required surely.
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