Dáil debates

Thursday, 18 May 2006

4:00 pm

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The Noxious Weeds Act 1936 provides for the control of the spread of the following six noxious weeds: thistle, ragwort, dock, common barbery, male wild hop plant and wild oat. Under the Act, it is an offence not to prevent the spread of these noxious weeds. The owner, occupier, user or manager of lands on which these weeds are growing is liable, upon conviction, to be fined. In the case of fences and margins of public roads, the local authority charged with the maintenance of such roads is the responsible body.

While the last prosecution under the Act was in June 1988, the Department continues to enforce the Act by issuing a notice to destroy when it is aware of the presence of noxious weeds. In 2005, 12 notices to destroy were issued and these were followed up by a visit from an officer to ensure the notice was complied with. Under the EU single farm payment scheme farmers are obliged to keep their land free from noxious weeds under the cross-compliance measures of the scheme. Failure to do so may result in a reduction of their payment entitlements.

The need to raise public awareness of the importance of controlling these weeds has been an ongoing activity in my Department. This year two publicity campaigns were launched. The first campaign in February consisted of posters which were forwarded to public bodies, including Garda stations, local authorities, Department of Agriculture and Food regional offices, Teagasc offices and agricultural merchants, for display in public places and press notices in the national and regional newspapers.

The second campaign this month has been launched to remind landowners and users that ragwort can still be controlled on farmed grasslands by spraying, cutting or pulling, followed by removal and destruction of the weed. The reason for removal is that following spraying, cutting or pulling, ragwort is still poisonous and becomes more palliative to animals. In addition, all local authorities will again be reminded of their responsibilities under the Act.

My Department is currently examining the provisions of the Act with a view to updating and strengthening them in accordance with good agricultural and environmental practice. The Noxious Weeds Act 1936 was introduced to deal with specific weeds that posed a threat to farm productivity. Giant hogweed has not been classified as a noxious weed under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936 on the basis that it has no agricultural significance as it is not generally found in productive agricultural areas. Accordingly, I have no plans to list giant hogweed under the Noxious Weeds Act.

Giant hogweed is an invasive species and is the responsibility of the national parks and wildlife service under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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