Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 8

Written Answers. - Giant Hogweed.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

101 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to have the giant hogweed declared a noxious weed in view of the spread of the weed and its dangerous consequences for people who come in contact with it.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

As already stated in replies to parliamentary questions, I have no plans for scheduling the giant hogweed under the noxious weeds legislation. Hogweed has no agricultural significance and it would be inappropriate to use agricultural legislation to deal with it.