Bracken Control Group

With reference to the previous news item, an additional paragraph has now been added to Hansard to include the Ministers response to the question posed by the Earl of Caithness.

"The noble Earl, Lord Caithness, asked how the Government are supporting landowners in controlling bracken. We recognise the challenge that bracken presents to farmers, particularly in upland regions. We have funding available through our environmental land management schemes to manage bracken, when approved by a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer. We are also encouraging external partners to develop new tools that will help to address the challenge of managing bracken. In terms of what can be done to chemically to manage bracken, glyphosate and mechanical control can be useful tools in controlling bracken, although we recognise their limitations. For glyphosate to be used, it must be agreed by a member of the BASIS professional register who is qualified with the relevant BASIS certificate in crop protection."

This may not take us any further forward but the records are now complete.