Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 4

Ceisteanna — Questions (Resumed) - Noxious Weeds Legislation.

John Gormley

Question:

83 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals, if any, he has, either acting alone or in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, to introduce primary or secondary legislation to provide the term noxious weeds to plants, including the giant hogweed which has become a major coloniser of our semi-urban watercourses in recent years and poses a significant health threat to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17649/98]

John Gormley

Question:

93 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on whether it would be advantageous in the interests of the public health, and particularly the health and safety of children, to use the powers vested in him under section 5(1) of the Noxious Weeds Act, 1936, to describe the giant hogweed as a noxious weed as defined in that Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17650/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food (Mr. N. O'Keeffe)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 93 together. I have no plans to review noxious weeds legislation, which was introduced at a time when noxious weeds were a serious threat to farm productivity. Weed control is a fundamental and automatic element under good modern farm practice. A variety of approved agro-chemicals and machinery are now readily available to farmers for controlling noxious weeds.

Giant hogweed is not a specified noxious weed under the Act and poses no threat to agriculture. Good management practice in areas normally accessed by the public should extend to adequate control of this plant and should not require specific legislation.