Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1429. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the actions that have been taken in 2012 to ensure compliance with the noxious weeds legislation with reference in particular to the spread of ragwort; the number of prosecutions pending; the number of these that have been taken against public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39177/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Noxious Weeds Act 1936 provides for the control of the spread of six noxious weeds, namely, thistle, ragwort, dock, common barberry, male wild hop plant and the wild oat. Under the Act, it is an offence not to prevent the spread of these noxious weeds. The owner, occupier, user or managers of lands on which these weeds are present are subject to the provisions of the Act, including a fine of up to €1,000 on conviction.
The last prosecution under the Act was taken in 1988. However, my Department actively seeks to enforce the provisions of the Act by issuing notices to destroy in all instances where it becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds. A total of 35 such notices were issued in 2011 with a further 40 having been issued to date in 2012. These notices are issued as a result of inspections carried out by Department field officers or on receipt of complaints made by the public. Follow-up action may be undertaken by my officials with the landowner to ensure the notifications are acted upon and that the particular weeds have been dealt with as stipulated in the notice to destroy. Additionally, all recipients of notices to destroy in 2011 were contacted again this year reminding them of their obligations to control noxious weeds present on their lands.
Under the EU single farm payment scheme, farmers are obliged to keep their lands free from noxious weeds under the cross-compliance measures of the scheme. Failure to do so may result in a reduction of their payment entitlements. In the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 penalties under the single payment were applied to 27, 31 and 46 farmers, respectively, for failure to take appropriate measures to prevent the proliferation of noxious weeds.
My Department continues to engage with all local authorities and the National Roads Authority to ensure a consistent programme of treatment and disposal of noxious weeds on roadsides on an ongoing basis. In that context my officials earlier this year wrote to Managers of each County and Local Authorities together with the National Roads Authority restating their statutory obligations under the Act and remaining them of the importance of implementing measures for the treatment and safe disposal of ragwort.
