Bracken Workshop

United Phosphorous Limited, in association with ADAS, held a one day meeting of stakeholders concerned with bracken management at the Hilton Hotel,  York on 25th September 2008  delegates to the meeting represented the full range of stakeholder interests, including land managers, bracken control practitioners, regulators, water companies, researchers and environment agencies.

The objective of the meeting was to provide a forum for discussion of current practices and pressures, including the importance of continued availability of the main chemical control product - Asulox. Output from the meeting is to be integrated into a product stewardship programme currently being developed by United Phosphorous Limited.

Key areas that were addressed included the current extent of bracken coverage in the UK, the need for control, control measures and policies and their benefits / impacts. The meeting included presentations and discussion sessions, considering the following topics: .

Why is there a need to control bracken?

  • Bracken life cycle
  • Reasons for control

1.      Agronomic

2.      Safety (Health impacts)

3.      Conservation

4.      Access

Control methods?

  • What are the conditions that favour bracken?
  • Is the problem getting worse?
  • Aerial treatment (Risk assessment process)
  • Alternatives to Asulox

1.      Bruising

2.      Weedwipers

3.      Stocking rates

4.      CDA hand held sprayers

Water Quality issues?

  • Water quality regulations - 0.1µg/L
  • Is current treatment effective

Water Framework Directive

 

Please click on the links below for the introduction and presentations discussed at the meeting.

Introduction

Cambridge Environmental Assesments ~ Adrian Terry

Environment Agency ~ Elaine Axford

MFH Helicopters ~ Nicholas Hawkings-Byass

The Heather Trust ~ Simon Thorp

The Macaulay Institute ~ Robin Pakeman

Water Quality and Environmental Consultancy ~ Bob Breach

Pesticide Safety Directorate ~ Ingrid den Hoed

ADAS ~ Michelle Werrett

Landward Consultancy ~ Dr Roderick Robinson (Dr Robinson's is not yet available online)

A Summary Report on the workshop is available to download here