Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the serious problem with the growth of ragwort around the countryside and roadsides, if he has any plans to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14839/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Noxious Weeds Act 1936, as amended, provides for the control of the spread of noxious weeds including Ragwort. Under the Act, it is an offence not to prevent the spread of such noxious weeds. The owner, occupier, user or managers of lands on which these weeds are present are subject to the provisions of the Act, including a fine of up to €1,000 on conviction.

My Department actively seeks to enforce the provisions of the Act by issuing Notices to Destroy in all instances where it is becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds.

A total of 26 such Notices were issued in 2010 and a further 35 were issued in 2011. These notices are issued as a result of inspections carried out by my Department or on receipt of complaints made by the public.

Follow-up action may be undertaken by my Department with the land owner to ensure that the notifications are acted upon and that the particular weeds have been dealt with as stipulated in the Notice to Destroy.

Additionally, under the EU Single Farm Payment Scheme, farmers are obliged to keep their lands 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. In the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 penalties under the Single Payment were applied to 27, 31 and 46 farmers, respectively, for failure to take appropriate measures to prevent the proliferation of Noxious weeds.

My Department continues to engage with local authorities and the National Roads Authority in relation to the treatment and disposal of noxious weeds on roadsides on an ongoing basis.

My Department has also conducted a number of public awareness campaigns in recent years to raise awareness of noxious weeds and to promote best practice with regard to their control and elimination.