Ragwort invasion needs to be tackled

The National Roads Authority, Westport Town Council, Mayo County Council and landowners are being urged by Cllr Keith Martin to tackle the "invasion of ragwort" which the labour councillor says is sweeping the town.  Ragwort is a highly poisonous plant if eaten. Ragwort is also toxic to cattle, horses, deer, goats, pigs and chickens.

 

According to the Labour councillor when these weeds are permitted to grow unrestricted they will spread to neighbouring land. Ragwort and thistle seeds are particularly easily spread as their seeds are carried by the wind.

 

"In Westport I have noticed the ragwort, which traditionally was a feature of the countryside, is now spreading into the town.  On a walkabout one evening this week in my own neighbourhood I noticed ragwort in Michael Davitt Park, the Fairways and Kingshill and Deerpark East but the truth is the all areas of the town have ragwort growing somewhere. 

 

"I have also spotted the plant in Mayo County Council's depot on the Ballinrobe Road and in the new fire station on the Lenaune Road.  It is also spreading throughout Sandyhill and on the roads into the town.

 

"Annual cutting of noxious weeds will limit seed production and should prevent weeds spreading to adjacent land. Herbicides can be used as a long-term control measure and are generally effective when used in co-ordination with other good sward management practices.

 

I want Westport Town Council, Mayo County Council and the NRA to take action for what is their responsibility.  The NRA and Mayo County Council are responsible for their properties and for the roadsides of national, regional and local roads, Westport Town Council are responsible for its property and the town in general. 

 

"Farmers, landowners, homeowners and landlords should also inspect their property and remove either by hand or with herbicide any ragwort or thistle.  Action this year will prevent the spread of the weed next year.  If we don't tackle this invasion this year we will have twice as much work next year."

 

Ragwort, Thistle, Dock, Common Barberry, Male Wild Hop and Spring Wild Oat are scheduled as noxious weeds under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936. Any person responsible for land on which these weeks are growing is liable, upon conviction, to be fined. A person responsible for land may be either the owner, occupier, user or manager of the land.

 

Under the Act any member of the Garda Síochána or any authorised inspector may at all reasonable times enter any farm or land to see if any noxious weeds are growing on the land. Where noxious weeks are growing on land, the person responsible may be served with a notice requiring the destruction of the noxious weeds in a specified manner and time. Failure to comply with the conditions or terms of the notice served shall result in prosecution.

 

In addition, the Minister for Agriculture may arrange for the destruction of the noxious weeks concerned and recover the cost of doing so from the person responsible as a simple contract debt in any appropriate court. Also, under the Single Payment Scheme, farmers are required to maintain land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition as part of Cross-Compliance.  Failure to comply with this condition may result in a reduction in the Single Farm Payment.

 

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