‘Aggressive’ artichoke a threat to other plants

I WAS shocked that Darina Allen would encourage readers to grow and consume Jerusalem artichoke (Weekend, January 19).

This plant, known as Helianthus tuberosus, is considered an invasive alien plant in Ireland and can become an aggressive weed that is very difficult to control.

It has been identified also as posing a threat to plant health, the environment and biodiversity across the EU by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation.

Ms Allen, who has campaigned against GM crops on the basis they could be “superweeds”, seems to have fallen victim to double standards when considering threats to the environment from other non-GM plants.

Natural does not mean risk-free.

Shane Morris

Sandyford

Dublin 18