A helicopter sprayed chemicals over land near Glenkens homes without warning, residents have claimed.
The aircraft appeared above Waterside Hill near Dalry on Monday morning to kill bracken with an aerial mist, believed to be Asulam.
The herbicide, which is the only bracken control chemical which can be applied from the air, was withdrawn by the EU in 2011 but “emergency authorisations” permitting its use have been issued annually since.
Debra Day, whose Garroch Glen home stands yards from the hill, claimed locals knew nothing about the operation until the helicopter appeared.
Scottish Woodlands, which carried out the spraying ahead of tree planting, insisted the job was carried out in accordance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements.
Mrs Day, 53, said “an awful lot of people” had been asking what was going on when they heard the helicopter.
She told the News: “There were no signs and no forewarning to nearby residents and users of the hill.
“A lot of people are constantly going backwards and forwards up there.
“Waterside is well used by walkers, dog walkers and runners along the Southern Upland Way. Kids could have been up there playing as well.
“I was previously assured by Scottish Woodlands that the community would be consulted on the bracken, in particular on taking it out by non-chemical means. I think it’s appalling.”
A local shepherd, who asked not to be named, said: “I had heard nothing about this.”
David Robertson, a director with Scottish Woodlands, said: “The operation was carried out in line with the requirements of HSE’s reporting structure with the operation being notified by the contractor in the appropriate timescale and appropriate permissions granted.
“At the local consultation meetings we had advised that the operations would be completed in August.
“Unfortunately, due to weather and operational considerations it is not easy to tie down exact timing of the works.
“As far as operational control is concerned, on Monday morning, prior to spraying commencing, we flew the site to ensure it was free of any members of the public.
“Having confirmed this was the case, we manned the entrances to the site to ensure that no one entered the site during operations.
“Whilst the helicopters were static Scottish Woodlands staff attended to engage with any members of the public enquiring about operations.
“With the operations being halted due to weather in the morning we repeated the process thoroughly again once the weather improved in the evening and manned the entrances to ensure no entry was taken.
“We, and our contractors, work to the highest environmental standards.
“I can confirm that appropriate risk assessments and method statements were in place to support the operation.”
Dalry Community Council vice-convener Kerri Morrison said the issue would be discussed at the next meeting.
She said: “I am annoyed about this.
“None of us knew the spraying was going ahead.
“A drop-in session in Dalry Town Hall last autumn was the only meeting we have had with Scottish Woodlands.
“The Waterside 2 forestry scheme was only a proposal then.
“The real issue is that people were not given notification that this was going to happen.”
Asulam, which is manufactured by UPL Europe Ltd, is regarded as highly effective against bracken.
But in 2011 a decision was made within the EU that the information available to demonstrate the safe use of Asulam was insufficient to justify registration under EU regulations.
The move followed concerns that aerial spraying by spinach growers in continental countries resulted in it drifting to a number of other food crops.
A summary of Asulam on the University of Hertfordshire’s Pesticide Properties DataBase states: “Although it is not highly toxic there is a risk of bioaccumulation.
“It is a skin, eye and respiratory system irritant and may cause undesirable effects on reproduction.
“It is moderately toxic to birds, most aquatic organisms, honeybees and earthworms.”
HSE guidance to applicants seeking permission for Asulam spraying states that “appropriate measures are put in place to forewarn members of the public in good time where areas are to be treated, for example the use of legible and robust warning signs at an appropriate distance”.
