Giant Hogweed (Hansard, 26 October 1990)

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he proposes to take to eradicate giant hogweed in Northern Ireland.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
The Departments of the Environment and of Agriculture have co-operated to produce a leaflet which gives advice to landowners on the problem of giant hogweed and its control. Control and eradication is a matter for landowners and occupiers on whose land the plant is growing. Copies of the leaflet are available in the Library.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether giant hogweed is listed as a weed which landowners should destroy; what advice has been given to landowners as to the most successful methods of destruction; and whether he has published a list of weedkillers which can be used with success on this plant.

§ Mr. Brooke
Giant hogweed is not listed in any Northern Ireland legislation as a weed which landowners shall destroy. The Departments of Agriculture and of the Environment have jointly published a leaflet entitled, "Giant Hogweed: The Problem and its Control", copies of which have been placed in the Library.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the areas of Northern Ireland where giant hogweed is known to grow.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has no detailed information on the occurrence of giant hogweed. Its distribution tends to be localised on river banks and lake sides. It is found mostly in the south of Northern Ireland and in particular along the banks of the Rivers Bann, Lagan, Ballinderry and Blackwater.