Commenting on the European Commission’s decision to ban Asulox, with all use to cease by the end of 2012, Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon said:

"This is a disappointing decision. It is terrible news for upland areas of Scotland that rely on Asulox to keep bracken under control.

"Until now the UK delegation had been able to muster enough support from other countries to be able to block the ban but despite their hard work that coalition fell away.

"My hope now is that we can persuade United Phosphorous Ltd to work up a new proposal to have Asulox approved for use on non-food crops only, as the major food safety concerns were focused on its use on food crops such as spinach.

“That would allow Scottish farmers to continue using it for bracken."