Simon Thorp

Upland Consultant - Consultant to The Heather Trust, Coordinator of Bracken Control Group (

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

@DavyMcCracken @FirebreakSvcs @curlewcalls @AndreasHeinem @NinaFriggens Thanks for the reference. I am plugging this as a knowledge gap with NE and NS.

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

@FirebreakSvcs @curlewcalls @AndreasHeinem @NinaFriggens @DavyMcCracken It is a question that I also see as a knowledge gap. There are two possible angles: storage of carbon in rhizomes (up to 300T/ha) and a comparison between GHG emissions from many passes by tractor & flail with a single helicopter pass. https://t.co/GkJdsoI5Dc

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

@Jamie4North If you would like more information, please contact the Bracken Control Group -https://t.co/BUAZ89iLo6

[Michael @FirebreakSvcs]

Really good blog on partnership working & Scottish Wildfire Forum by DACO Bruce Farquharson at https://t.co/aWpxSpHHJQ @ScotLandEstates @moorlandforum @heathertrust @ScotGamekeepers @NFUStweets @andyheald @RogerDowald1 @DougMcAdam

[Hugh Raven 🇺🇦 @HughRaven]

Please join us for our @moorlandforum debate on #muirburn in #Scotland - the controlled burning of #moorland to remove old growth and rejuvenate ground cover. 1st August 7pm with three expert speakers, me in the chair. Read our background paper here:

https://t.co/3EVqaN49Hz

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

Should a UK-wide strategy for bracken control be developed? The aim would be to provide a framework to encourage longer-term investment in products, equipment, training and techniques. In the current situation, the only winner is bracken. More thoughts:
https://t.co/K0BJqUVKSg

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

Approval has been granted today to use #asulam for #brackencontrol during the 2022 season. It has been a long wait but thanks to all those who helped us to get the approval. More details are available on the website https://t.co/GkJdsoHxNE

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

Great to have received approval to use Asulam for #brackencontrol today. Many thanks for your support for the cause. https://t.co/DnLTQIwnzZ

[Jim Fairlie SNP MSP for Perthshire South + K-Shire @JimFairlieLogie]

Constituents contacted me with concerns that Asulam might be made unavailable for this years bracken control, so today I raised it with the minister and I am pleased she has agreed to meet me next week to discuss the derogation. 👇 is the exchange https://t.co/CjQobq7CPy

[UPL Corp United Kingdom @UPLCorp_UK]

📣 NEWS! Asulam (ASULOX) Emergency Authorisation Approved for the control of #bracken
The application window opens on 1st July and closes on 13th September 🗓️

Read more from the Bracken Control Group ➡️ https://t.co/JX7BEERKdN

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

After a long wait since submitting the application for an Emergency Authorisation at the end of October 2020, the approval to use #asulam for #brackencontrol has been granted. Details: https://t.co/DnLTQIwnzZ. See the UPL press release at https://t.co/88N2Ye4BjS

[Stewart Macpherson🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @foyersfirie]

As part off @fire_scot spring TAP, we would like to remind Farmers/crofters and land managers to contact Scottish Fire and Rescue Service control and notify us off any control burning to save any unnecessary deployment off appliances. #SpringSafety

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

@ciobairean @katharine_hay @TheScotsman @ScotRMG @moorlandforum @TCS_MG @AGMG_UK @sumgroupuk @SpeysideMG @fire_scot @heathertrust This is a good point that is well understood. A tailored approach is required to support muirburn in different parts of the country to match the skills and requirements of different groups of people - crofters, hill farmers, deer forests

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

An application for an Emergency Authorisation to allow Asulam to be used for #brackencontrol throughout the UK during the 2021 season was submitted on 30 October 2020. https://t.co/vtMqMt6v8U

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

The #brackencontrol season has ended but it is not too late to help the application for an approval to use #Asulam next year. The authorities want details of the use of Asulam in 2020. Forms to provide the information are available at: https://t.co/DnLTQIwnzZ

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

Early die-back of bracken this year has shortened the #brackencontrol season including the application of #Asulam. More detail at https://t.co/tqr8xORtQE

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

#Asulam for #BrackenControl - additional approval issued to allow the use of some ground-based application on: conservation sites, land covered by agri-environment schemes and in the establishment phase of forestry. See https://t.co/DnLTQIwnzZ

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

See the Bracken Control Group website for more information about the use of #asulam for #brackencontrol, this year. Sign up to the newsletter to receive information direct as soon as it is released https://t.co/XhMzGpDzgs.

[UPL Corp United Kingdom @UPLCorp_UK]

Important update on changes to asulam use for bracken control this year, read the full details of the anticipated regulatory outcome here https://t.co/VZRDDKjqhf

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

Restrictions on the use of #Asulam for #brackencontrol have been eased. Ground-based application of Asulam will now be allowed on 'land designated for conservation’. More details will be published as soon as received. https://t.co/DnLTQIwnzZ

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

Further decision about use of #Asulam for #brackencontrol awaited. The additional application to cover the 2020 season is with the Defra - the timing of a decision is not known. Sign up to receive a newsletter that will contain details: https://t.co/XhMzGpDzgs

[Simon Thorp @VallumVoice]

#Asulam for #brackencontrol. CRD has published details about how to obtain an aerial spraying permit - see: https://t.co/DnLTQIwnzZ. Still waiting to hear from CRD with a decision about any change to restrictions on using Asulam this year - maybe next week?