Control spread of weeds, minister urges

LANDOWNERS and occupiers were urged yesterday to control the spread of noxious weeds, especially ragwort, thistle, dock and wild oat.

Minister of State Mary Wallace said ragwort has been designated a noxious weed as it is poisonous to animals when grazed or consumed in hay or silage. This makes it an animal health issue.

Other noxious weeds, such as thistle and dock in grassland and wild oat in cereals, adversely affect crop growth and consequently yield.