Vol. 399 No. 7
81 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if discussions have taken place between his Department and the Departments of Health and of the Environment regarding the problem of giant hogweed; and if an action programme has been developed.
82 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will have giant hogweed declared a noxious weed; and if any other steps can be taken to eradicate this dangerous weed.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.
As indicated in my reply to a parliamentary question on 26 October 1989, responsibility for action for dealing with the giant hogweed is not a matter for my Department. The study on the incidence of the weed mentioned in that reply has since been published and my Department has written to the Departments of Health and of the Environment informing them of the position and advising them of possible means of dealing with the problem.
