Landowners ‘must control weeds’

ALL landowners and users of land have been urged by Minister of State Mary Wallace to control the spread of noxious weeds.

But the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association yesterday claimed the focus of the Department of Agriculture should be moved from farmers to local authorities and property developers on the grounds that these sectors are mostly responsible for an upsurge in noxious weeds countrywide. Ms Wallace appealed to local authorities, farmers, land developers and others to ensure they control such weeds.

The principal weeds which must be controlled under the Noxious Weeds Act are ragwort, thistle, dock and wild oat.