Invasive Plant Species

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Ceisteanna (528)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

528. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if persons that have committed to the eradication of Japanese knotweed as part of their GLAS plans will be released from this commitment due to the withdrawal by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs of its best practice guidelines on this matter in November 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8146/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The eradication of Japanese Knotweed is not an action under the GLAS scheme.

Where the GLAS advisor prepares a Sustainable Management Plan (SMP) for designated Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas and that plan includes the management of Japanese Knotweed to protect the integrity of the site, the SMP must be complied with.