Scottish Bracken Working Group minutes: January 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Jackie Hughes, Chair, Scottish Government 
• Brian Eardley, Scottish Government 
• Beth Hadley, Scottish Government
• Alanis Maciver, Scottish Government 
• John Armour, Scottish Government 
• Kirsty Hutchison, NatureScot 
• Tabitha Acton, Soil Association 
• Louise Roger, Historic Environment Scotland  
• Katrina Candy, Heather Trust 
• Andrew Gouldstone, RSPB 
• Nicky Downing, National Trust Scotland 
• Eleanor Kay, Scottish Land & Estates 
• Jacqueline Tait, Scottish Water 
• Robin Pakeman, James Hutton Institute 

Items and actions

Review of Previous Actions and Minutes 

Minutes from the last BWG had been circulated and agreed by members.  

There was one outstanding action from the previous meeting: Secretariat did not invite members to review the Terms of Reference or collect view on future group longevity and delivery. 

 

Scottish Government Updates 

Scottish Bracken Mapping Project 

This project is underway, and a map, with a spatial resolution of 10m, is currently being delivered by an external contractor (Environment Systems), funded by the Scottish Government. Map completion and handover to Scottish Government geospatial analysts is scheduled for end of May 2026, with an aim of stakeholder access by summer 2026. The frequency of future updating of the Scottish bracken map has not yet been formally agreed.  

 

Survey of Scottish Bracken Extent & Treatment 

A voluntary survey, running alongside a survey of pesticide usage on Scottish grass and fodder farms is underway. This survey to help inform the group about the impact of bracken in this sector and provide information on bracken extent to support map validation. 

• approx. 200 responses to date (expect 400–500 total representing ca 140,000 ha of permanent grass and rough grazing across Scotland). Interim data is below, please note this may not be representative of final results: 
• 25% of respondents report bracken is present on their farms. Where present, bracken covers approximately 7% of total farm area. 
• Most bracken is reported to be a mix of dense stands and in mosaic with other vegetation. 
• 60% reported no change in bracken area over the last 5 years, 30% reported an increase and 10% a decrease 
• Most respondents who had bracken on their land hadn’t treated it over the last 5 years (70%), or in 2025 (77%) 
• Of those that had treated bracken in 2025, the vast majority used mechanical treatment methods. 

Information was also collected about treatment efficacy and costs, and full data will be published by the Scottish Government at survey completion (aiming for April/May 2026) 

Members discussed the data and were surprised by the relatively low numbers of farms reporting bracken in this interim dataset. It was discussed whether there was possible under‑reporting of bracken due to concerns about Basic Payment Scheme impacts, however this wasn’t thought to be a factor, as these surveys are voluntary and farmers can opt out of responding, nor is the information used for cross-compliance. Members noted, based on the data presented, the need for strong guidance on best practice in relation to mechanical control, especially regarding potential impacts on biodiversity and archaeology.  

 

NatureScot Update – Guidance & Strategic Framework 

Tender for full UK strategic framework received no bids (insufficient funding available or time to complete the work). Instead, two smaller contracts are being progressed.

The Welsh Government have commissioned a project to develop an Excel based bracken management cost comparison tool by May 2026, that will enable land managers in Wales to compare the costs of different bracken management techniques. It will also allow them to input specific details concerning site size, slope, terrain, bracken density and proximity to water courses or sensitive habitat land. The aim being to help land managers make well-informed choices by providing accurate region-specific cost data and practical considerations for each method considered. 

The tool will include the main bracken management approaches and will allow comparison of costs on in-bye farmed land and wider upland habitat. Costs considered will include machinery costs, labour, contractor rates, follow-up treatments, post control restoration. 

The tool at this stage will be basic, with the potential for further development / adaptation such as the use of third-party mapping data services to automatically fill in certain details as well as built-in reporting features. 

NatureScot are commissioning work to produce an infographic of a decision‑flow diagram for land managers when considering when and where to treat bracken and are developing additional case studies showcasing work being undertaken through the Soil Association Field Labs, including examples of livestock‑based and innovative mechanical approaches. 

 

Stakeholder Meeting 

The Ministerial in‑person stakeholder event organised in Edinburgh in October 2025 was cancelled due to extremely low uptake from stakeholders, despite a varied programme of relevant speakers and widespread efforts to publicise the event.    

Members discussed options for an alternative knowledge exchange event, taking onboard feedback from the Minster for Agriculture and Connectivity. 

Members agreed that: 

• The event should be in-person in a farm/estate setting (rather than lecture based) 
• Timing should be aligned with the bracken growing season (June–August 2026). 
• There was an opportunity to promote the event at the Royal Highland Show. 
• That best value could be gained from combining with an existing field lab/demonstration farm event (e.g., a Soil Association Innovative Farmer’s Bracken Management Learning Network event planned for summer 2026 or another BWG partner event). 
• Consider hybrid models (recording or livestreaming some of the content) to allow greater reach post-event (potentially liaising with the Scottish Government Farm Advisory Service). 
• BWG to improve targeting and mailing lists for farmers to publicise the event. 

 

Roundtable updates from members 

 

Heather Trust – Research & Demonstration Hub Proposal  

This is a proposal for a multi‑year research project (Beating Bracken)  on an estate in Highland Perthshire. The plan is to gather data about multiple bracken management methods and the scope includes: 

• Evaluating mechanical control 
• Valuing the wider benefits of reducing bracken dominance 
• Tracking costs of bracken treatment 
• Native woodland establishment 
• Post‑removal restoration of landscapes 
• Tick monitoring 
• Establishing a hub for learning, sharing and demonstration. 

This work has initial funding but more will be required to deliver on the ambitions of the project, and the Heather Trust are seeking financial support, estates/farms willing to participate in the trials, and additional partner organisations to progress this work. 

 

Non‑Chemical Bracken Learning Network (Soil Association) 

There was an update on the UK‑wide non-chemical control of bracken field lab learning network. This work is funded to 2029 and is also aiming to create decision‑support materials. An upcoming webinar on animal health in livestock‑based control was highlighted to members (18 Feb). 

 

Research Studentship (James Hutton Institute) 

A PhD studentship proposal has been submitted investigating plant‑level bracken responses to control methods. The group will be updated if funding is confirmed. 

 

Glyphosate Usage (Scottish Water) 

Concern remains that some land managers may, in the absence of Asulox, incorrectly apply glyphosate which may affect water quality. The Chair asked if any residue monitoring was available to provide evidence around greater glyphosate residues in waters in those geographic areas where bracken is most prevalent. The initial bracken survey data suggests that very few of those farmers sampled are using glyphosate for bracken treatment and evidence about residues in water would aid assessment of concerns.  

 

Glyphosate Application by Drone 

Some recent events have promoted future potential drone spraying of bracken with glyphosate. SG and NatureScot emphasised that it is currently illegal to apply glyphosate (or any pesticide) by drone in the UK outside of experimental permits for specified research and data collection. At the moment, it is important that land managers are clear that bracken cannot be controlled by drone application of herbicide until a commercial authorisation is both sought by an applicant and authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  

 

Next Steps & Close 

 

Summary of Actions 

ACTION BWG5-01 -Secretariat to collect views on the group’s Terms of Reference (ToR) and future longevity and activity 

ACTION BWG5-02 Scottish Government to keep group updated on the Scottish Bracken Mapping project as it progresses, including sharing the map before publication and confirming proposed hosting location and future updating frequency 

ACTION BWG5-03 SG to publish completed Scottish bracken survey data when finalised, and share output with group. Group members to share contacts of farms or estates, outside the main survey, where bracken is present and being treated to supplement to potentially allow stand alone case studies to be included in the final report. 

ACTION BWG5-04 Group to consider proposals from NatureScot and respond on: 

• Appetite for a UK‑wide decision tool. 
• Preferred long‑term home for guidance and case studies. 
• NatureScot to update group following next cross‑government meeting. 

ACTION BWG5-05 Members to attend/share Innovative farmer’s network webinar on animal health in livestock‑based control. Tabitha Acton to share questionnaire results (when closed) with the group. 

ACTION BWG5-06 Scottish Water to follow up on data availability about changes in glyphosate presence in waters pre- and post-Asulox authorisation 

ACTION BWG5-07 Secretariat to schedule next meeting for approx. 3 months' time. 

ACTION BWG5-08 Secretariat to begin coordinated planning for summer stakeholder event (to be discussed at the next meeting). 

ACTION BWG5-09 Secretariat to update Minister for Agriculture and Rural Connectivity on BWG progress