John Bruton
Ceist:44 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason he has decided not to designate the giant hogweed a noxious weed in view of its danger to human health, particularly children.
Written Answers. - Giant Hogweed.
I would refer the Deputy to the Dáil Reports of 26 October, 1989, 6 June, 1990, 10 July, 1992 and 28 April 1993 in which replies to parliamentary questions gave the reasons why the giant hogweed was not the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and why it was not appropriate for dealing with under the Noxious Weeds Act or any other legislation for which I have responsibility.
Basically, the position is that the Noxious Weeds Act was designed, and has been operated, to deal with weeds which have a direct and significant adverse effect on the production of farm animals or crops. All the weeds which have been designated under the Act are in that category. In this respect we are in line with similar legislation in other countries.
The giant hogweed has no agricultural implications nor has it any significant occurrence on farmland. Its habitat is mainly in amenity areas such as river banks and public parks or roadsides. This is clearly in the public health/ environment area and is rightly being dealt with as such in a programme being organised by the Minister for Health.