Blackgrass added to list of ‘noxious weeds' that landowners must control
A public consultation had taken place last on proposals to legislation on noxious weeds to include Blackgrass following a recommendation set out in the Food Vision 2030 Tillage Report to 'assist in controlling and preventing the spread of problem grass weeds on Irish farms'.
Over a ten year period to 2023, there were 198 complaints relating to noxious weeds made to DAFM and 60% of these related to agricultural land.
All complaints over the 10 year period related to ragwort, thistle or dock or a combination of these.
Under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1936 it is an offence for owners and occupiers of land not to prevent the spread of specified weeds. A new statutory instrument on noxious weeds comes into force today to include Blackgrass.
The noxious weeds specified in the legislation are;
Blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds);
Broad-Leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.);
Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn.);
Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.);
Curled Dock (Rumex crispus L.);
Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.);
Spring Wild Oat (Avena fatua L.);
Winter Wild Oat (Avena sterilis L.).
DAFM has advised that noxious weeds are best controlled before they seed, spread and threaten agricultural land with infestation and 'enforcement action will be supported by guidance'.
The department issues notices to destroy letters in all instances where it becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds, 'either as a result of inspections or as a result of reports made by the public'.
It has warned that the owner of lands on which these weeds are present and not being controlled 'is subject to the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act'.
Farmers have also been advised that under conditionality requirements they are obliged to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of noxious weeds under Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) number 8.
'Failure to do so may result in the application of a reduction of their area-based payments,' DAFM has warned.
Blackgrass
The department also engages with all county councils, Local Authorities and the National Roads Authority to ensure a consistent programme of treatment and disposal of weeds, now including Blackgrass, on an ongoing basis.
It has said that enforcement action is 'only taken when there is a risk to agricultural land'.
If noxious weeds are reported and found on non-agricultural land, then an assessment will be conducted by a DAFM officer if there is no threat to agricultural land, then no enforcement or further action should be taken.
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