Baldrick Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I've heard a few rumours that Asulox is likely to be banned as the principal chemical means of controlling bracken. Do any of the 'keepers/foresters/upland farmers familiar with bracken control on here, know if there's any substance to these rumours? Or is it just general paranoia regarding the EU's Water Framework Directive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 (edited) . Edited September 22, 2009 by JohnGalway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I certainly don't want to have to muck about with weed-wiping/glyphosate/other ineffective methods, but the rumour worried me a tad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Sorry to highjack but you guys may beable to help me. I have a paddock that is thick with hogwead any idea to get rid it but leaving the grass intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Spray it with Round-up, Garlon or another glyphosate-based spray. You won't be able to put any stock on there for 28 days, but it's the best method of getting rid of hogweed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 B Not heard this rumour. However I know that most Asulox in the UK is applied by air and for sometime there have been moves to have this banned, perhaps thet is where the story started. Asulox was recently, well a year or so ago, sold to United Phosphorus Ltd. May be worth asking them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Charlie, a colleague called the distributor this morning, and the reply indicated that there was no such ban expected. I've just heard these Chinese whispers from a variety of people over recent days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubix Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I've been hearing this for a year or more. There's a company in N Yorks who we've spoken to about suplying us. pm me for their details, they'll know. We had issues with SEPA because of the proximity of watercourses on our land, otherwise I we would have bought a lot it. It very popular and effective, in biodiversity enhancement in some cases it's the only option - they'll struggle to ban it completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Spray it with Round-up, Garlon or another glyphosate-based spray. You won't be able to put any stock on there for 28 days, but it's the best method of getting rid of hogweed. he did say he wanted to keep the grass intact :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Sod it, I wasn't paying attention. Disregard my comment about glyphosate sprays, unless you really want the scorched earth look. My knowledge of the more specialist herbicides isn't good, but when my (BASIS-qualified) colleague gets back, I'll ask him and post something more constructive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Garlon is really the only one to use on grassland. Broadsward, Pastor and co only work very early in the season when used alongside mechanical and grazing control and then need a second application. It's even a bit late in the year for Garlon but should still work if done soon. Beware of hogweed sap, it burns the skin something awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 You may all be interested in the following email, just received from DEFRA in response to my query regarding the future of Asulox: --- Dear Baldrick Thank you for your email regarding the latest position on the active substance asulam found in some pesticide products which are used to treat bracken. This has been passed to the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD), the UK regulatory authority for agricultural pesticides, and I have been asked to reply. Asulam was included in a European Community-wide review of existing active substances used in agricultural pesticides. The review is being carried out under Council Directive 91/414/EEC to ensure that all pesticides meet modern standards of safety for people and the environment. The EC review programme did not, however, proceed as quickly has intended (it was initially due to conclude in 2003). In 2007, the Commission adopted special arrangements to deal with the large number of active substances which were awaiting consideration. The procedures included dividing active substances into groups, depending on an assessment against certain key safety criteria. Asulam was categorised in a group of substances for which there were no clear indications of unacceptable risk, but which did not clearly meet the required standard of safety. Manufacturers of substances in this category were offered the option of withdrawing them from the review programme. Under these arrangements, authorisations for use cease at the end of 2011 and no new ones can be granted in the meantime. The deadline is longer than usual for withdrawn substances, to provide an opportunity for manufacturers who wish to do so to generate additional data demonstrating the safety of their substances. The aim is to evaluate these data by an accelerated procedure and reach decisions before the end of 2011, so that substances which are approved can remain available continuously. The manufacturer of asulam chose to withdraw it under these arrangements and must submit additional data by June 2009 to benefit from the accelerated evaluation. We are not aware whether additional data has been submitted. I hope this is helpful. If you require any further information please contact us again. Regards Jenny Smith Information Services Chemicals Regulation Directorate Health and Safety Executive Rm 214 Mallard House Kings Pool 3 Peasholme Green York YO1 7PX Tel: 01904 455775 Fax: 01904 455763 International Tel: (+44) 1904 455775 International Fax: (+44) 1904 455763 www.hse.gov.uk www.pesticides.gov.uk Email: pesticides@hse.gsi.gov.uk --- ENDS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubix Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 So what the hell does that mean? We can't get it after 2011? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I think it means they don't know if you will be able to get it or not, its probably taken the woman all day to come up with an answer that means nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 Al4x, I grant you that it's not a hugely constructive response from DEFRA, but the intimation is that Asulox will be prohibited beyond 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 might be worth calling the manufacturer / wholesaler they will know if the additional information has been submitted. Sounds like it will come down to whether they sell enough of it to be worth going through the hoops to keep it licensed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badshot Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 That's exactly what it means. If the volume sold is worthwhile they will do whatever they can to keep it. As it is the only thing that really does anything to bracken without killing everything else it will probably be kept. Most of the withdrawn actives are ones which have safer alternatives, not cheaper but safer. ( in the eyes of the eu that is ). Lots of actives are withdrawn every year but get reintroduced with different paperwork, or by different manufacturers. If the MAPP No. is not current it is illegal to use so getting large stocks can be a bit dodgy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smig4373 Posted June 28, 2009 Report Share Posted June 28, 2009 Sorry to highjack but you guys may beable to help me. I have a paddock that is thick with hogwead any idea to get rid it but leaving the grass intact. Timbarall or trip-tick will kill all broadleaf plants (dio-cotaledens) and leave the grass (mono-cotaledens) alone...not cheap tho..hogweed burns..called strimmers dicease down here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 (edited) . Edited September 22, 2009 by JohnGalway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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