A EUROPEAN Union ban on a pesticide to control bracken has been criticised by leading conservation charities.

Millions of pounds has been spent removing bracken from the Lake District fells because it is a haven for disease carrying ticks, which can spread Lyme disease to humans and Louping Ill to grouse and sheep.

Bracken has spread significantly during recent years sometimes at the expense of other plants and wildlife.

The most effective weapon against it has been a pesticide called Asulam, which targets just the bracken, leaving other vegetation free to grow.

It has been used for decades, but was banned by the EU’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health over concerns about its safety when used on spinach and other food crops. The EU has been re-registering pesticides to adhere to higher food standards, and Asulam failed in one of the tests.

Dr Alastair Leake, policy director at the Game and Wildlife Trust, questioned the EU decision-making process.

“Bracken is a well-adapted pioneer plant, which can dominate large areas of moorland.

“We currently have just one effective weapon against this highly invasive species and the EU Commission has just banned it.

“Bracken is not such a problem in other EU countries, but it is a major issue on uplands in the UK.

“This will have serious ramifications for us.

“The loss of Asulam will result in the inability of upland farmers and moor owners to control bracken in a cost effective and environmentally acceptable way.”

The Moorland Association also criticised the ban, which comes into effect from December 31, 2012.

George Winn-Darley, vice chairman of the association, said that millions of pounds spent on agri-environment schemes to get rid of bracken could have been wasted because they can often take 10 years for results to be seen. “This ban is very concerning for the future of our uncultivated landscapes,” said Mr Winn-Darley.

“I and various other organisations will be working with UPL (the notifier of Asulam), DEFRA and the Chemicals Regulations Directorate to sort this out and find a way forward so we can minimise the economic and environmental impact of this decision.”