James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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954. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide financial supports for farmers in County Wexford who must reseed their land upon the arrival of invasive species including Japanese knotweed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36602/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Acts, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), and the 2014 EU Regulation on invasive alien species (No. 1143/2014) which together provide the legislative framework on invasive alien species issues.

In law, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a matter in the first instance for landowners. The Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC) 7 (Retention of Landscape Features & Designated Habitats and Controlling Invasive Species) requires that noxious weeds and invasive species must be controlled on holdings.

There is no funding currently available from my Department for reseeding of lands as a result of encroachment of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed.