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Motion · S6M-09804 · 28 Jun 2023

A Long-term Solution for the Control of Bracken and Tick Populations

Lodged by Rachael Hamilton (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) Members' Business Motion 24 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament regrets that farmers and land managers across Scotland, including in the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire constituency, have been prevented from using what it sees as the primary means of controlling bracken in upland areas in 2023 by the Scottish Government; understands that bracken litter provides an ideal moist, warm habitat for ticks and that the spread of bracken has been linked to a perceived increase in tick numbers and, subsequently, an increase in the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals; further understands that experts believe that the failure to allow the use of the herbicidal chemical, Asulox, to control bracken will lead to a Lyme disease epidemic; believes that an ever growing number of people enjoying outdoor access is making tick control a priority for land managers, and notes the view that the public sector should be supporting those efforts in every possible way; considers that the spraying of Asulox is proven to be by far the most effective method of bracken control; recognises 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 it considers 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 could be increasing the risk of Lyme disease in humans, and many other diseases in livestock and pets, and notes the calls on the Scottish and UK governments to recognise that the current pattern of emergency authorisations is, it considers, not fit for purpose, and to commit to a longer-term solution for bracken and tick control following consultation with land managers.

Supporters (24)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.