THE issue of spreading bracken on areas of common land like Dartmoor went under the spotlight in the House of Lords this month. Lord Greaves asked the government what steps it was taking to stop the spread of bracken, following an unsuccessful attempt to amend the Commons Bill, giving associations a duty to deal with the problem. The Open Spaces Society has welcomed the move. Kate Ashbrook, general secretary, said: ?We are pleased Lord Greaves is pursuing this matter. Bracken spreads mercilessly through many upland areas. With modern agricultural practices and fewer animals on the land, the bracken is no longer being trampled and kept under control. ?it is a threat to animal and human welfare, providing a home for ticks which carry diseases such as Louping-ill and Lyme disease.? Ms Ashbrook said rampant bracken spread also ruined biodiversity of important sites like Dartmoor. ?We can point to good practice ? commoners on Bowden Down near Brentor and on Holne Moor are crushing their bracken regularly. Defra should make funds available for the greater use of crushing machines and encourage levels and types of stock which are compatible with controlling it,? said Ms Ashbrook. ?We shall call for a coalition of landowners, graziers, animal welfare bodies, nature conservation organisations and recreational users to promote a solution to the bracken problem,? she said.