Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is intended to repeal the Noxious Weeds Act 1936/37 in view of the new understanding of the need for biodiversity and the need to avoid unnecessary spraying; the number of prosecutions taken under the Act in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55855/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) enforces the provisions of the 1936 Noxious Weeds Act by issuing “Notices to Destroy” in all instances where it becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds.

These notices are issued as a result of inspections carried out by my Department, including in cases involving reports made by the public. Follow-up action is undertaken by my Department to ensure that the notifications are acted upon and that the weeds have been dealt with as stipulated in the Notice to Destroy. No prosecutions have been taken under the Act in recent years.

DAFM also continues to engage with all County Councils, Local Authorities and the National Roads Authority to ensure a consistent programme of treatment and disposal of such weeds.

The most common type of noxious weed is Ragwort and is particularly of concern as it is poisonous to animals that consume it and therefore is a matter of significant concern in respect of animal welfare. Furthermore, seeds of uncontrolled noxious weeds such as ragwort can spread to adjoining lands and cause infestation of neighbouring lands. 

Farmers are obliged to keep their lands free from noxious weeds under the cross-compliance measures set down for farming practices. Failure to do so can result in the application of a reduction of their payment entitlement.

Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan places a much stronger focus on the environment and biodiversity in particular through a combination of new land eligibility rules, enhanced Conditionality, the Eco-Scheme under Pillar I and an environmentally ambitious Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) under Pillar II. 

The Noxious Weeds legislation may be reviewed to add or remove plants, however, there are no plans to do so at present.