22 June 2023
Confirmation was received on 19 June that Asulox has been granted an Emergency Approval for 2023 in England only. Approval authorision for use in Scotland and Wales has been refused by their respective Ministers.
The key factors are as follows:
Authorisation No. 1503 of 2023
| Availability | Asulox will be available for purchase & use in 5 or 20 litre containers on 1 July.
Any remaining stocks of unopened containers must be returned to the distributor by 27 October. Ensure that each opened container is fully used. |
| Application | When bracken is at full frond, but no later than 11 September. |
| Rate | 10 litres per ha. |
| Knapsack Spraying | Maximum concentration of 1 part Asulox to 4 parts water.
In reality the dilution is likely to be much greater e.g. if spraying 10 litres/ha Asulox at volume of 200l/ha then 400ml Asulox will be required in 10 litres water. |
| Crop Sprayer | Apply at 10l/ha in 400-500 litres water per ha using three star low drift nozzles. |
| Helicopter |
Low drift nozzles to be used. 90m buffer zone to non target environment. Bracken must cover at least 80% of the area to be treated. |
| Aquatic Buffer Zones | 1m for hand held sprayers, 5m for crop sprayers and 90m for helicopters. |
| Restrictions |
For use pre planting, or in the first 5 years of establishment only. 6 weeks should elapse between spraying and planting. Do not cut bracken for at least 4 weeks, or ideally late autumn, after spraying. Application not permitted where Hazel Dormouse is known to breed. Application from 1st August is recommended to protect birds. Advice must be sought from appropriate conservation agency where applying near SSSIs. |
| Other Situations |
The approval also authorises use on Rough Grazing, Moorland & Amenity Grassland. Ground based use in these areas is restricted to areas with a statutory conservation designation. This restriction does NOT apply to helicopter application or to forestry use. |
| Records | To assist in future approvals it would be helpful if the application form found on the Bracken Control Group Website (below) was completed and submitted. |
| Further Information | Further information, and the full authorisation document. |
Rural Services
The Advisory Service for Weed & Pest Control in Forestry & Amenity
Woodview Cottage, Raycomb Lane, Coddington, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1JH
Tel/Fax: 01531 633500
Mobile: 07906 964 702
Email: forestry@branchline.co.uk
Update thanks to Colin Palmer. Confor Members can contact the Chemical Helpline for advice on pesticide use.