This report was requested to better understand the implications of not controlling bracken on biodiversity, rural productivity and public health, where asulam is traditionally used for its control in Scotland.
Asulam, sold under the trade name Asulox, is a relatively narrow-spectrum herbicide that has been the predominant chemical method of bracken control, particularly on rough or steep ground since the 1980s. Authorisation for Asulox was removed in 2012 with all recent use subject to emergency authorisation which has been given on an annual basis.