Vol. 473 No. 2
43 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Health the dangers, if any, of the giant hog weed; the way in which this matter can be satisfactorily dealt with, particularly in view of the fact that local authorities are not empowered to enter private lands to remove the weed and cannot require a landowner to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24830/96]
Limerick East): Contact with the sap from the giant hogweed plant can cause damage to the human skin. The plant is most commonly found adjacent to rivers and streams and is a cause of some nuisance to people frequenting them. Spraying appears to be the most successful method of control and the Central Fisheries Board has carried out some spraying and cutting of the plant on riverbanks in recent years. Public awareness is also important, and my Department has issued public health warnings on the potential dangers from contact with the plant. The question of whether landowners should be compelled to control the spread of the plant would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
