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EU ban may spell the end of Scotland’s purple hills

IT is the ruling that could turn Scotland's purple hills a nasty shade of green.

fears: Health concerns have been raised about the ban because bracken hosts sheep ticks, which can cause Lyme disease. Picture: James Galloway
fears: Health concerns have been raised about the ban because bracken hosts sheep ticks, which can cause Lyme disease. Picture: James Galloway

The European Parliament has outlawed the only chemical that kills bracken, the prehistoric fern that would cover much of the country if uncontrolled.

Horrified conservationists and farmers -- who had forged an unlikely alliance to fight the ban -- last night warned the move would have a devastating effect on Scottish uplands.