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Motion · S6M-09556 · 15 Jun 2023

The Use of Asulox for Bracken Control

Lodged by Rachael Hamilton (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) Standard Motion 23 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament believes that prompt action should be taken to control tick populations to prevent a Lyme disease epidemic; notes that one of the simplest methods of controlling ticks is by controlling bracken, as bracken litter provides an ideal moist, warm habitat for ticks, and the spread of bracken has been linked to a perceived increase in tick numbers; understands that the ever growing number of people enjoying outdoor access is making tick control a priority for land managers, and believes that the public sector should be supporting those efforts in every possible way; considers that there is unequivocal data that proves that spraying of the herbicidal chemical, Asulox, which contains asulam, is by far the most effective method of bracken control; understands that general licensing of this chemical has been restricted for a decade and that land managers have instead had to wait for annual emergency authorisations from the relevant authorities, which often comes too late in the summer to permit the most effective use of the chemical; believes that this system of emergency authorisation is inefficient and that it could be raising the danger of Lyme disease in humans and many other diseases in livestock and pets; urges the Scottish Government to do everything within its power to seek the early authorisation of asulam and Asulox in summer 2023, and further calls on the Scottish and UK governments to recognise that the current pattern of emergency authorisations is not fit for purpose, and to commit to a longer-term solution for tick control, following consultation with land managers.

Supporters (23)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.