19 July 2024
Call for a reappraisal of bracken: its threats and management
THE stakeholder group representing those with an interest in controlling bracken is calling for a reappraisal of this dominant species and further research into how to mitigate the threats it presents to human and animal health and wider biodiversity.
The Bracken Control Group (BCG) represents a wide range of interests (Note 1), and the Group believes that the loss of Asulox (Note 2) (the main herbicide, which had been used to control bracken since the late 1960s) has precipitated the need for a reassessment of the plant and how to mitigate the threats associated with it through effective, practical management.
Bracken is a common plant species in all parts of the UK and while it provides benefits for some species, where it becomes dominant it provides a challenge to existing land uses and introduces a range of threats (Note 3).
Asulox, is no longer available (Note 2) and as this was the only product authorised for aerial application, it is no longer possible to treat bracken from a helicopter.
“Bracken is notoriously hard to manage, and the BCG welcomes the new best practice guidance on bracken management that has been published by NatureScot, on behalf of all the UK nature conservation and national historic bodies (Note 4),” said Simon Thorp, Coordinator of the BCG who provided input into the guidance process.
“The new guidance is a very useful start to the development of further approved management techniques to be based on more evidence and research. It covers many aspects of bracken control using physical methods (Note 5).”
The Nature Conservation Bodies intend to develop a UK Bracken Strategic Framework, which it is hoped will address many of the issues identified by the BCG in its draft review of bracken (Note 6).
It is anticipated that the development of this Framework will include a survey of all those who carry out management of bracken.
“The BCG is suggesting that some demonstration sites should be set up in parallel with, or as an alternative to, the survey, to provide a means for detailed monitoring of bracken management and to provide a location for those with an interest in bracken and its management to meet to share knowledge and experience,” said Simon.
“Feedback on any bracken related issues will be welcomed, with social media proving to be a useful resource for the BCG in connecting stakeholders, farmers, and those with an interest in bracken to the latest updates both from the BCG and the latest advances in the bracken domain.” (Note 7)
There continues to be developments, such as the recently published paper on bracken toxins (Note 8) and a planned review of bracken in Countryside Stewardship by the Environmental Land Management team at DEFRA this year but, says Simon, there are many alarming research gaps:
“Support for more research to identify any alternative chemicals to Asulox is required. It is also surprising that there is no accurate measure of the area of bracken in the UK, and whether or not this is increasing. New technologies, such as drones, are coming into play and could provide interesting developments in the future. The impact of bracken on human and animal health is also of increasing importance.”
Both The Heather Trust and the BCG have been involved in hosting events and site visits to provide updates on the bracken situation, with further on-site bracken events also in the pipeline this summer (details will be announced through the HT and BCG websites).
Katrina Candy (Director of the Heather Trust) said: “The conversations continue on how we effectively manage this dominant species which can have detrimental impacts on human and animal health and wider biodiversity. We need to keep up the momentum with research and innovation to bring appropriate, workable solutions to the many landscapes and livelihoods that are impacted.”
Bracken is a complex and multifaceted issue, but the ultimate aim is to encourage dialogue, promote insight and engage in discussion to aid the future of appropriate bracken management.
ENDS
Notes:
1. The Bracken Control Group
a. This independent Group was formed to work with all organisations and people throughout the UK that have an interest in bracken control; it considers all bracken control issues and techniques.
b. The Group’s website has more detail: www.brackencontrol.co.uk it includes:
· A list of the Sector Representatives https://www.brackencontrol.co.uk/home/sector-representatives
· A Position Statement, published on 7th February 2024, that provides more detail to support this press release.
2. Asulox
a. In October 2023, the manufacturers withdrew their support for Asulox. The effect of this decision is that it is not possible to obtain further approval to use Asulox for bracken control. The manufacturer’s decision was commercial: the costs of continuing to prove the safety of the product were not being covered by the return from sales.
b. Asulox had been in use since the late-1960s. As this was the only product with approval for application from a helicopter, Asulox had become the accepted method for tackling large areas of bracken, or to carry out management in places where access by other means was difficult, unsafe or impossible.
c. As a consequence of the withdrawal of Asulox:
· It will be more difficult or impossible to counter the threats from bracken in many areas, and
· It will not be possible to complete the agri-environment agreements where the use of chemical control had been specified.
3. The Threats Associated with Bracken
a. Amongst other issues, bracken poses a significant threat to: biodiversity, drinking water quality, agriculture, rural businesses, animal welfare, access and recreation, source of fuel for wildfire and to the health of people, livestock and wildlife through the diseases spread by sheep ticks.
b. Three threats are of particular concern:
· Expansion – empirical evidence from landowners and land managers is that the area coverage of bracken is growing and therefore the threats from bracken are increasing.
· Ticks and Diseases - the attraction of bracken beds as a habitat for sheep ticks is well-established. Sheep tick numbers are reported to be increasing rapidly in many areas and with them the potential impact of the tick-borne diseases that affect humans, livestock and wildlife. Reducing the area of bracken is one method of reducing the spread of these diseases. Lyme disease is the most common disease the affects people. Tick-borne encephalitis was first identified in the UK in 2019 and poses a serious threat to people.
· Bracken Exudates - an international review of the exudates from bracken (one of which is Ptaquiloside) was published in June 2024. This confirms the link between the exudates and cancer, first identified in a paper published in 1965. There are concerns about the impact of bracken on drinking water quality.
4. New Bracken Management Guidance
a. See: https://www.nature.scot/plants-animals-and-fungi/ferns/bracken
5. Bracken Control Techniques – two categories
a. Physical – hand-pulling, cutting, rolling, bruising, ploughing and trampling by animals.
b. Chemical – treatment with herbicide. Currently there is no product with approval for general use on bracken. Trials are taking place in the hope of identifying alternative products.
6. Draft Bracken Control Review
a. See Bracken Briefing No.17: https://www.brackencontrol.co.uk/briefings
7. Social Media Links
a. X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/GroupBracken / https://x.com/GroupBracken
b. Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/groupbracken?igsh=MWZ4cnhyOG5kYnIwNQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
8. Recent Reports
a. Links to recent reports are available in the July 2024 BCG Newsletter: https://www.brackencontrol.co.uk/news
9. Contact for Photographs