Karen Walsh: Good year for the noxious weeds

Japanese knotweed poses a direct risk to the farming community, due to its uncontrollable growth and the difficulty in removing it. However, it is not directly referenced by any legislation, unlike “noxious weeds”.

If one takes a look at the countryside, it is not difficult to notice that it has been a particularly good year for the ragwort plant.

A mixture of warm and humid conditions allowed it to flourish.